ROGERS — Rogers Heritage saw a big early lead disappear, but Daniel Sanchez slapped a run-scoring single in the bottom of the seventh to lift the War Eagles to a 6-5 win over Greenwood in high school baseball Wednesday at Veterans Park.
Greenwood (2-1) scored a run in the top of the seventh to tie the game, rallying from a 5-1 deficit after 5 innings. But Heritage came right back.
HOW THEY SCORED
Rogers Heritage 6, Greenwood 5
Greenwood^000 103 1^—5^5^2
Rogers Heritage^210 020 1^ —6^8^1
Herrel, Cox (5), Cooper (6) and Nelson; Murphy, Sanchez (6), Wetzler (6) and Norris. W-Wetzler, 1-0. L-Cooper, 0-1. HRs-None.
The War Eagles loaded the bases on a one-out double by Dalton McKaughan, an intentional walk and a single in the bottom of the seventh.
Sanchez then singled on a 2-2 pitch between the third baseman and the shortstop to score the game-winner in the season opener.
Heritage coach Keith Kilgore was pleased with how his team came back.
"They rallied," Kilgore said. "They could have had their heads down. We were up 5-1, and next thing you know, the ballgame's tied. They responded."
He was especially happy for Sanchez, who allowed three runs in only 1/3 of an inning on the mound but pitched in some tough luck.
"It was really unfortunate, giving up three bloop hits and a walk," Kilgore said. "It was fitting for him to be at the plate with the bases loaded. He was kinda down a little bit from being on the mound earlier. That's a senior pulling us through."
Junior Kacey Murphy enjoyed a big day. He allowed a run on two hits over five innings and was in line for the win until Greenwood rallied.The left-hander struck out five and walked three but also picked off three Greenwood baserunners.
Murphy also finished 3-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs at the plate.
Greenwood coach Randy Gardner said his team had a chance at the win, but a pair of defensive miscues loomed large.
"It started in the first inning when we lost a double play and they get two runs there," Gardner said. "Then they score two off a missed fly ball. Our left fielder called it off the bat, but it's probably an easier play for our center fielder since the wind was blowing the ball to him. But he called it so early and got him off it. It was real windy."
Greenwood tied the game in the top of the seventh thanks to three walks and an RBI groundout by Mike Rhea. However, Heritage reliever Colton Wetzler struck out Bulldogs cleanup man Chris Sunde with two men on to send the game to the bottom of the seventh tied.
Heritage will continue play in the Best Sports Classic at 4:30 p.m. today against Alma at War Eagle Field.
Sports on 03/13/2014