The Lynchburg-Clay Mustangs started their 2016 season off with style on Saturday afternoon with a walk-off, 5-4 victory over non-league opponent McClain.
The game was tied 4-4 going into the seventh and final inning. The Mustangs had one last chance to get a run across the plate or be forced into extra innings with their opponents. Morgan Ryan led off the inning by reaching first base on an error. McClain pitching issued back-to-back walks to both Andrew Reuss and Kendall Vilvens which loaded the bases. Freshman Damin Pierson came to the plate and hit a single to the second baseman which advanced Ryan home for the 5-4 walk-off victory for the Mustangs.
Bricen Hess picked up the win for the Mustangs for pitching two innings in relief. He faced the minimun of six batters, allowing no hits, no runs, and striking out two. Starting for the Mustangs was Wesley Smith who got the no decision. He went five innings, giving up four runs on four hits and struck out eight.
The Mustangs scored one run in each innings from the third inning on giving them five. All four of McClain’s run came in the fourth inning.
Damin Pierson led the Mustangs going 2-for-3 with the game-winning RBI and scoring himself. Reuss went 2-for-2 with an RBI, Christian Inman was 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI, Devin Pierson went 1-for-3 with a run scored, Drew Pitzer was 1-for-3 with an RBI and run scored, and Kendall Vilvens was 1-for-2.
The Mustangs will be back in action Tuesday, March 29 on their home field as they host Williamsburg at 5 p.m.
Reach Robert Stegbauer at 937-393-3456 ext. 1679 or on Twitter @RStegbauer.
