OAK HILL- The Greenbrier East Spartans baseball team dropped a tough 8-6 decision to the Oak Hill Red Devils on Thursday evening, March 28 on the road.
The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but it was pushed back a couple of days.
The Spartans led 5-4 going into the bottom of the fourth inning, but the Red Devils erupted for five runs as they held on for the victory.
East loaded the bases in the top of the first on two walks and a base hit from Gabe Patton, then Brandon Upton hit a 2-run single to center that put them up 2-0 early.
In the third frame, with the Spartans (2-4) up 2-1, they struck again and extended that lead. Patton led off with a double, then a couple batters later, Upton singled and was followed by an RBI single from Gavin Bennett. Zion Detko then knocked in Upton with a base hit and East extended their advantage to 4-1.
An RBI single from Ashton Cochran put East up 5-2 in the fourth, but Oak Hill began their comeback immediately after.
The Spartans got a quick out to start the bottom of the inning, but Terry Elswick singled and then Caleb Compton did the same. Patton would get Aiden Smith to strikeout looking, but a fielding error on the next batter loaded the bases for the Red Devils with two gone. Oak Hill responded with three consecutive base hits and eventually cleared the bases and took a 7-5 lead after four.
East then loaded the bases with just one out in their final at-bat and Logan Hudson got an RBI when he was hit by a pitch. That made the score 8-6. But Oak Hill pitcher Fred McClain retired Peyton DeHaven and Lynch to end the Spartan rally and the game as well.
Patton really showed out for the Spartans at the plate. He went 4-4 with a double and three runs scored. Upton, Bennett, and Detko each had two hits apiece. Upton also led the team with 2 RBIs.
Patton scattered eight hits over four innings but allowed just one earned run.
McClain struck out seven Spartans in just three innings of relief work. Trent Rider was credited with the win for the Red Devils.
East plays a double-header on Friday, March 29 at Jefferson County.

