The Plainview Junior Legion Post 148 squad put on a show against Albion in a contest that came down to the wire on Friday, June 28.
In front of their home crowd, the Pirates got off to a rough start against a solid Albion team that came ready to play. After Albion was able to score one run in the top of the first inning, the score remained 1-0 until the top of the third, when Albion was able to gain some serious momentum. Led by a double and two singles, Albion was able to plate four more runs in the top of the third to enhance their lead to 5- 0.
Plainview continued to struggle with the bats but were able to get two runs home in the bottom of the fourth, thanks to a single by Bastion Curtiss followed by a passed ball, to decrease their deficit to just three runs entering the fifth inning.
Unfortunately for Plainview, Albion scored two more runs in the top of the sixth to go back up five, which made the score 7-2 going into the bottom of the sixth. That’s when the momentum shifted in favor of the home team.
After Zach Frahm took a pitch off his body to get a free base with one out and nobody on, a single by Kohen Lingenfelter sparked an incredible run by Plainview. Curtiss, the very next batter for the Pirates, drew a walk, which was then followed by a balk, two more walks, another balk, yet another walk, and an error to make the score 7-6 in the blink of an eye with the bases still loaded for Plainview. Albion was able to retire the next Plainview batter, but the inning wasn’t over yet.
With two outs, the bases loaded, and Plainview now down by just one run, Wyatt Schroth delivered in the biggest way possible. On a 2-1 count, Schroth ripped a double towards right field to score two runs, but after an error was made by the third baseman, Schroth was able to see himself all the way home for an inside-the-park grand slam to give Plainview a 10-7 lead.
After the next batter was retired, Plainview took the field on defense to attempt to complete their historic comeback. With Lingenfelter on the mound, Plainview was able to hold off Albion in the top of the seventh.
After Albion had found a way to get one run across the plate, Guy Wortman secured the catch on a pop fly to right field with two on and two out to give Plainview the 10-8 victory over Albion. Schroth was the offensive key for the Pirates, as he finished with three RBI’s and produced the biggest of the three hits that were earned by Plainview in their victory. Plainview will continue its regular season on Tuesday, July 2 at home against Valentine.