Bases loaded offense sparks victory for Patriots
Senior Ian Potts rounds third base, headed home in the Patriots 15-5 win against King. Potts was 2-for-3, scoring three times and driving in a pair.
By Lily Belcher, Correspondent
Photos by Tara White, Correspondent
** Click Here – for our full photo gallery from this game **
NEW TAMPA – Keeping the ball in play and capitalizing with runners on proved to be an effective strategy for the Patriots, who mercy-ruled the Lions in a 15-5 home victory. The Patriots loaded the bases and scored at least three runs in the first three innings, and finished the game with a total of 18 hits.
“We’ve been working on eliminating the pop flies that really killed us in Saladino and created a tough tournament for us,” said Freedom coach Dane Moore. “So, all week, we’ve been focusing on line drives swings and putting the ball on the ground, and good things will happen. That’s exactly what happened tonight.”
King (3-9) took an early three-run lead, taking advantage of back-to-back walks from Freedom’s starting pitcher Dylan Hand in the top of the first.
King junior Jayden Hill was 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored and two RBI.
However, Freedom (3-8) answered in the bottom half, loading the bases and driving in three on a wild pitch and an RBI single by second baseman Joey Wey.
“Joey is just an interesting guy. He comes out and he gives it all. The guys love being behind him and he makes plays,” said Moore. “…He’s the type of guy around, in the clubhouse and on the field, who keeps the guys loose and reminds them that it’s just a game with his attitude.”
Hand picked up three of his five strikeouts before turning it over to Freedom’s offense in the second.
“He’s got a bright future ahead,” Moore said. “He’s a freshman, so getting the opportunity to pitch has really been crucial for him to get this experience as a young guy.”
Freshman pitcher Dylan Hand struck out five and earned the win for the Patriots.
The Patriots loaded the bases again for Wey, who hit a two-RBI base hit to give the Patriots the lead. Six more hits, an error and a sacrifice fly gave the Patriots a six-run lead in the second inning.
“I was just trying to keep it simple and get some hits…coming off a five-game losing streak, it feels good to get one,” said Wey, who went 3-for-4 with three RBI and quick infield defensive plays Thursday night.
The Lions scored their fourth run of the night, but it wasn’t enough to catch the Patriots’ offensive rally.
Freedom loaded the bases in the third inning and drove in four more runs. Ian Potts and Tommy Bradley each got their second RBI of the night, and Ryan Acord picked up his second and third.
King scored their final run of the night in the top of fifth but were trailing 13-5 with the productive bottom half of Freedom’s lineup due.
Potts got on base with a base hit and advanced to third off a double by Bradley. As King’s defense juggled the ball into the infield, Potts confidently rounded third before tripping over his helmet and scrambling back. However, the Lions overthrew catcher Nicholas Brown, attempting to catch Potts in a rundown. The Patriots’ outfielder eventually crossed the plate standing up to put Freedom within one run of a mercy rule win. With Acord up to bat, Lions’ relief pitcher Caden Harrier threw a wild pitch, allowing Bradley to score the walk off run.
Before the game, Freedom had three students from the Best Buddies program accompany the lineup. The three students threw out the ceremonial first pitch to start the game, a tradition started by Moore last year. Moore is a teacher in Freedom Exceptional Student Education program and wanted a way to involve his students and his team through their participation ahead of some of the games.
“The Best Buddies thing is just a really nice thing to do,” said Bradley. “It’s good seeing the kids coming out here and just seeing the kids on the baseball field with us and supporting the Freedom Patriots. It’s just a good thing overall.”
Freedom will host Sickles on Saturday at 10 am, and King will host Middleton on Tuesday.
Freedom senior Logan Lambert celebrates one of his two runs scored in the Pats win. Lambert went 3-for-4 with a double in the win.
Freedom 15, King 5 (5)
K 301|01x|x – |5|7|1
F 364|02x|x – |15|18|0
W – Hand (0-0); L – Lyons (0-0)
2B – Nico Brown, Hill, Nich. Brown (K); Mendoza, Bradley, Lambert (F). Records – K (2-9); F (3-8).
