CHAPMANVILLE- When a team’s back is against the wall, that is when really good teams step up to the plate.
On Sunday, July 21, the Central Greenbrier all-stars, in a win or go home situation, stepped up to the plate, the pitcher’s mound, and every position in the field in the best way possible on their way to two impressive wins.
CG defeated the host team, Chapmanville, 7-4 and later in the evening, clobbered Fairmont 11-0 at the Little League state Tournament in Chapmanville.
In game one, after a scoreless opening frame, Central Greenbrier got on the board in the top of the second when John Thompson singled home Acen Workman for a 1-0 CG lead.
However, Chapmanville used their bats and their bodies to climb back ahead in the bottom half of the second. They used three hit-by-pitches and two base hits to rack up three runs and answer right back with a 3-1 advantage after two.
But Central wasted no time in claiming the lead right back again. Carter Huffman lined a single to right then Michael Boothe followed with an RBI triple that scored Huffman and Central Greenbrier cut the deficit to 3-2. the next batter, Hendo Bostic, singled on a line drive to center field that plated Boothe and just like that, the game was tied at 3-all.
After a couple noneventful frames, the top of the fifth arrived and CG used it to put the finishing touches on the day. With two on and no outs, Peyton Ervin ripped a 2-run triple that scored Trenton Skaggs and James Godby. Three batters later, Bostic got a 2-run single that put Central ahead 7-3 and that would be all she wrote.
Godby got the win in relief and settled Central Greenbrier down early in the game. At one point he retired 10 consecutive hitters before giving up what turned out to be a meaningless homer in the sixth. Godby got the win and pitched five innings, allowed four hits, two runs and struck out three.
Boothe (2-2, R, RBI) and Bostic (2-3, 3 RBIs) led the way for Central at the plate. Ervin had a triple and two RBIs and Thompson drove in a run as well.
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The nightcap was even more fun.
Central Greenbrier never let Fairmont threaten them in any way. Dillon Jackson took the mound and pitched a great game and the defense behind him may have been even better. CG did not commit a single error in the field and made play after routine play.
Their offense also put on a show, and it was one of the more complete games the team has played so far.
A 10-run fourth inning sparked the team and ended the game in just four frames. Bostic stayed hot and went 3-3 with two runs scored. Ervin was 2-3 with another triple, a run, and three RBIs. Workman was 2-2 with a run and two knocked in, and Skaggs picked up two hits as well.
On the mound, Jackson allowed just one hit in four innings and struck out two batters.
Central will resume play tomorrow (Monday) evening against the loser of Huntington and Hurricane. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:30 PM.
