Team Blue squeezes out Game 4 win and leads series 3-1

Once again it came down to the final inning between Red and Blue in a well-pitched Game Four of the Francis marion University 2010 Fall World Series. Zack Lee scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning on a Josh Powell squeeze bunt to give Team Blue a 2-1 victory and a three-games-to-one advantage in the best-of-seven series.

Blue starter Joe Wagstaff and Red starter Tyler Lehman each threw five impressive innings, allowing only one run apiece. Wagstaff struck out a remarkable nine batters and gave up only three hits in his five frames, while Lehman fanned four, and allowed only three hits. According to Wagstaff, “it was a true team effort and a huge win for our team. Once again we found a way to win, but it was a hard-fought game by both teams.”

Lehman and Red took the loss hard. “It was a tough one to lose, but we have to move on and give it our best shot, and the good Lord willing things will work out.”

Red got on the board early when Tyler Boyd reached on a first-inning walk and was followed by back-to-back singles from Brooks Arnette and Justin Turbeville. Wagstaff was able to end the threat by striking out Chris Honeycutt and eight of the next fifteen batters he would face.

It wasn’t until the fifth inning that Blue was able to respond with a run. With the bases loaded John Jones hammered a first-pitch fastball to deep rightfield, but the sacrifice fly was enough for Eric Schanzenbacher to tag from third and score. Blue then loaded the bases, but Lehman was able to get a groundout from Powell to escape further damage.  Lehman admitted that fatigue had become an issue in the fifth. “I was getting tired and if one more runner would have reached base or another run scored I would have taken myself out.”

After a scoreless sixth inning from both sides, Red threatened in the top of the seventh, but with runners at first and third Brock McCallister was thrown out  trying to steal second. Tyler Cappelmann followed with a fly ball to center that would have scored the runner from third if there had been only one out. Pressed for an answer on that coaching decision, Red manager Chris Honeycutt stated that there were some issues with the signs. “It was a miscommunication. We were trying to safety squeeze to get the run and stay out of the double play.”

The decisive bottom of the seventh began with a leadoff infield single from Lee. He was sacrificed to second by Dalton Gress and then Red decided to intentionally walk Buddy Sosnoskie. With John Jones at the plate and runners at first and second, Blue manager Preston Shuey again put the runners in motion on a hit-and-run play. Jones trickled a ball down the third base line where third baseman Tyler Cappelmann received the ground ball and stepped on third as Lee slid in. He was called safe much to Red’s dismay who insisted the runner was out. The field umpire consulted with the umpire chief for several moments and they determined the call would stand. Asked after the game about the call, Honeycutt stated this game “was a perfect example why instant replay should be in baseball.” League officials are meeting today to determine if Honeycutt will be fined for his comments.

Following the close play, Powell stepped to the plate and with a one-and-one count, Shuey again rolled the dice calling a squeeze play. The freshman delivered a perfect bunt to give Blue the victory. Matt Broderick tossed two shutout innings for Blue to earn the victory. After the game, Shuey was relieved. “I’m proud of my team for not giving up. Wagstaff and Broderick did a great job keeping us in the game. I’d rather have an ugly win than a pretty loss.” Asked if he felt like Blue has outcoached Red in the series thus far due to how many hit-and-runs and bunts have worked for his team in contrast to a few miscommunications on Team Red, Shuey simply responded with “yes”.

Team Blue will seek to wrap up the series on Friday at 3 p.m. in Game Five. Red sends their ace sophomore right-hander Don Sandifer to the mound in hopes of staying alive, while Blue will counter with freshman right-hander Jeffrey Stoner.