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Elkins earns 10-9 comeback win

The Inter-Mountain photo by Edgar Kelley Elkins High School’s Charlie Smoak gets forced out on second base in a winning effort against RCB on Monday.

ELKINS — Jeremy Cogar’s walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning lifted Elkins to a 10-9 comeback win over Robert C. Byrd Monday in Big 10 Conference action at EHS/Post 29 Field.

With the game tied at nine entering the home-half of the final inning, Read Schumacher led off the frame with a double to right centerfield. One out later Matthew Gainer was intentionally walked, putting runners at first and second. Cogar then stepped and lined the first pitch he saw to center field, which allowed Schumacher to score the game-winner from second base.

“Jeremy came up with a big hit,” said Elkins coach Jack Crumm. “He wanted to be in that situation and he came through for us. It was a nice way to cap off a good comeback win for us.”

Elkins, which improved to 14-7 with the win, erased a 1-0 deficit with a five-run third inning. Allan Bennett delivered the big blow in the inning with a bases-clearing double. Schumacher, who finished the contest with three hits, added an RBI single in the inning.

After cutting the deficit to 5-2 in the fourth inning, RCB crossed six more runs in the fifth to take an 8-5 advantage. Two errors, three free passes and a pair of hits contributed to the big inning for the visitors.

The Eagles (8-15) extended the lead to 9-5 in the sixth inning before the Tigers came to life in the home half of set. Schumacher led off the inning with a bunt single and Nathan Cooper followed with a walk. Gainer then doubled down the leftfield line to score Schumacher and cut the lead to 9-6. One out later Cooper scored on a wild pitch and Jonathan Davis’ infield single made it 9-8. Davis came around to score and tie the game one batter later when Bennett collected his fourth RBI of the contest with a single to center.

Schumacher pitched the final two innings for Elkins and earned the victory. He allowed one hit and struck out five of the seven batters he faced, including the side in the seventh inning.

“Read came in and shut them (RCB) down,” said Crumm. “We look to him to be a shutdown pitcher and he delivered tonight. He was really strong for the two innings he was out there.”

Francis Lopez finished with two hits and two RBIs to lead Robert C. Byrd at the plate.

The Tigers will return to action today when they entertain rival Buckhannon-Upshur for a 5 p.m. contest.

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