Knights Bats Come Up Big in 7-6 Win over Murray Rampage in Calhoun

 

The Marietta Knights had almost as much fun clowning around in the rain as they did in beating the Murray Rampage 7-6.

The Marietta Knights won their second straight 1 run thriller with a 7-6 victory over the Murray Rampage. The win came in the rain shortened Bob Galasso Classic at Sonoraville Recreation Park in Calhoun. Cal Hughes went the distance for the win and 5 different Knights knocked in runs in the see saw battle.

Marietta got on the scoreboard early after Cal singled and came home on Will Nelson's deep double to left field. Garrett Wells made it three straight hits in the 1st with an RBI single to score Will. Garrett later scored on an error and the Knights led 3-0. The Rampage took over the lead later in the game at 5-3 and seemed to be in control. But Will and Garrett had back to back hits again and got the Knights bats rolling. After Garrett brought Will home Presley Field knocked in Garrett on a grounder to tie the game at 5. Gil Hastings walked, stole second and scored on a great hustle play. The Rampage didn't hold Gil on second so he took a huge lead and left on the pitch allowing him to score on George Krivsky's infield single. George came home from 3rd after Cal was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and the Knights held a 7-5 lead going into the bottom of the last inning.

The Knights celebrate the 7-6 win

With a Rampage runner on 1st, Mason Doyle fielded a grounder and tossed to Hunter Williamson at 2nd for the first out. After a walk and a single the Rampage closed the lead to 7-6. An infield fly gave the Knights 2 outs, but the Rampage put the tying run on 3rd with the winning run at second. In the Defensive Play of the Game, Cal delivered a fastball that the final Rampage batter hit high into the air towards short. Although it seemed like it may never come down, Mason camped under it and hauled it in with his trademark grin to closeout the victory.

Mason, Will, Garrett and George each had 2 hits in the game and Hunter had 2 assists and 2 putouts.



Austin Hansell was on the DL after
losing a battle but winning the war
with a 4 lb. bass. But he was there
cheering on his teammates, leading
stretches and barking commands to
his fielders and baserunners.
 

In Game 2 of the tournament the hard hitting Rome Expos bested the Knights 14-9. The Expos were big kids with big bats that sent several line drives into the outfield. At one point Rome led 8-2 but the Knights continued to fight and closed the gap to 10-8 before finally falling 14-9. Gil Hastings continued to impress on the mound in his first extended outing. The Defensive Effort of the game were Gil's 7 strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. Cal and Hunter each went 2 for 3 with a run scored in the second game. Cal had 3 RBI's and Hunter had a double. Mason and George each scored twice in the game.

After a long rain delay Saturday night, the tournament was officially postponed Sunday morning. Although the boys were disappointed not to play, they made the most of the wait playing in the rain, cracking bad jokes and even making friends with some of their rivals from the Rampage. It was a successful weekend for the Knights with a victory and great hitting up and down the lineup. The Knights hit a whopping .405 as a team with 6 players recording multi-hit games. Knights also only struck out 6 times while their pitchers struck out 10 opponents. Likewise, they drew 11 walks while only walking 9 opposing batters.

The Knights get back to NABL action this week with games at the North Georgia Outlaws on Monday and the Cobb Coyotes on Wednesday.