It was an impressive momentum swing. With the game tied n the top of the eighth inning, Western Albemarle was sitting pretty with a pair of runners in scoring position and just one out. But Monticello reliever Sean Byres came up with a strikeout and catcher Connor Lilley zeroed in on the lead that Warriors runner Parker Morris had at third, fired down to third baseman Josh Malm, and put Western in an pickle to get out of the jam.
With one out, leadoff hitter Max Mann came through with a single with one out and advanced to second on a throwing error. In the next at-bat, Malm delivered a liner up the middle and Western miscue allowed Mann to round third base and reach home to send the Mustangs to a 3-2 win in dramatic fashion.
“We had Max on second so I knew going in that all I had to do was get a base hit because he’s definitely fast enough to get around and score on a ground ball through the infield,” Malm said. “My coaches told me to focus on that first pitch and all I was trying to do was get something out of the infield.”
For Mann, it was as simple as just hauling it from second to home.
“The outfielder blocked Josh’s hit, so I was coming around third not thinking that I was going to score,” Mann said. “But when the throw went over the cutoff’s head, I took off and it paid off.”
For Monticello coach Corey Hunt, it was a case where his team was rewarded late as the Mustangs have played four 1-run games in their last five contests.
“Max Mann, that was a clutch hit, Josh Malm, clutch hit – the guys came through in the clutch here,” Hunt said. “We’ve been on the other side of this stick a couple of times this year where we weren’t rewarded at the end. Tonight was different. We had quality at-bats, defense and pitches. We did all the little things and it turned out that we were able to get one more play than they did and so it went in our favor.”
In the top of the sixth inning Western was facing a 2-0 deficit, but two singles from John Mark Mastakas and Morris and a walk allowed the Warriors to load the bases. Warriors coach Skip Hudgins went to the bench for pinch hitter Josh Casteen with one out. The move paid off with Casteen cranking a shot to the corner in left field for a 2-run double to tie the game.
“Josh did great job of stepping in, he was coming off an injury and we were able to get him an opportunity to hit,” said Western coach Skip Hudgins. “He made the most of it and that’s how you get more opportunities.”
Monticello starter Kyle Jacobson was on point and only found himself in the one jam all game, and managed to escape it without giving up the lead. Before the sixth, Jacobson allowed Western to just one walk and two hits. He left the game with a no-decision and had five strikeouts.
“Kyle stepped up for this team – you’re going to give up hits and runs as a pitcher so it’s about how you respond after,” Hunt said. “He went and got those two outs in the sixth when it got emotional. You can’t play emotional though. I told my guys to settle down, play the game, let the ball come to you and good things will happen. They took it and ran with it.”
Monticello picked up its first two runs in the second and fourth innings. Alex McNair had a double in the second with one out and was brought in with two outs thanks to an RBI single from Jhalil Mosley. In the fourth, Sam Patterson lead the inning off with a double and moved to third on an error. McNair brought Patterson home soon thereafter on an RBI single.
Morris threw all eight innings for Western and was at his best late in the contest where he struck out five of the seven batters he faced between the sixth and eighth. He finished with seven K’s on the night.
“I thought Parker pitched great and so did their lefty (Jacobson),” Hudgins said. “I don’t think we were able to hit but four balls decently tonight, so that was a struggle.”
Western (9-8, 3-5 Jefferson District) hosts first place Powhatan on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Monticello (8-8, 4-4) heads to Fluvanna County on Thursday at 6 p.m. The Mustangs have played in four 1-run games out their last five contests.
