Frederick, MD – Keys rally late and walked off winners in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Scrappers were unable to hold the Keys. Hylan Hall delivered the game winning single, which drove in Cameron Butler and Keys win 12-11.
The Scrappers struck first when they plated two runs in the top of the first inning. D’Aires Davis got the scoring started when he hit a solo homerun off Keys starter, James Deloatch. After Deloatch retired the next batter, he surrendered back-to-back walks. Braylin Marine singled up the middle and drove in Mason Sykes and TJ Reeves advanced to third, making it 2-0 Scrappers.
In the bottom of the first, Kirkland Banks walked and stole second base. Banks advanced to third on a throwing error and then scored when Hall flew out to right field, cutting the Scrappers lead in half.
The Keys would even the score in the bottom of the second when Logan Thomason scored on a sacrifice fly by Banks.
With the score knotted at two, the Scrappers had a big third inning and plated five runs. Corey King doubled to start the third and scored when Sykes doubled. King scored with one out when David Bermudez singled to left. Braylin Marine singled to load the bases, as the Scrappers continued rolling. Bermudez and Marine would both score when Omar Veloz singled, making it 6-2 Scrappers. Deloatch walked Owen Young which advanced Veloz to second. Christian Johnson drove in Veloz and advanced Young when he singled to right field.
The Scrappers would add an insurance run in the top of the fourth, when Sykes scored on a sacrifice fly by Bermudez.
With the score 8-2 Scrappers, the Keys would begin a rally in the bottom the fourth inning. Hernan Yanez singled with one out and was drove in when Banks homered (5). Scrappers starter, Elijah Pleasants then walked Hall. Then Hall stole second base and would advance to third on a wild pitch. Hall scored when Walker doubled. The Keys scored three runs and cut the Scrappers lead to three.
The Keys would add another run in the bottom of the fifth and pull within two runs of the Scrappers.
Noah Martinez would lead off the bottom of the seventh inning with a walk and scored when Thomason homered (6) evening the score at eight. Pena followed with a solo homerun (5) of his own and put the Keys ahead 9-8. With two outs, Banks would join the homerun (6) party with a solo shot of his own and extended the Keys lead to 10-8.
The Keys lead wouldn’t last as the Scrappers rallied in the top of the eighth inning. Bermudez doubled and drove in two runs to even the ballgame at ten. Marlin singled and drove in Bermudez to give the Scrappers a one run lead heading into the bottom of the eighth.
Keys reliever, Joe Sprake pitched a 1-2-3 inning and got the Keys out of the ninth inning trailing by just one run.
The Keys Would rally in the bottom of the ninth and walk off with the win. The Scrappers would turn to reliever, Danny Kirwin to close out the game.
However, Pena would start the rally when he walked. Kirwin walked the next batter Hernan Yanez. Then Keylon Mack singled and drove in Pena to tie the game. The Scrappers intentionally walked Banks to load the bases and Keys Manager, Rene Rivera would call for Cameron butler to pinch run for Yanez. With the bases loaded and the winning run 90 feet away, Hall singled to center field and drove in Butler to walk it off.
The Keys and Scrappers face-off again tomorrow at Nymeo field with a 7 Pm start.
Notes:
- Kirkland Banks goes 2-2 with two homeruns, four RBIS, three walks and two stolen bases.
- Keys Big Bats provide spark - Banks with two homeruns, Thomason and Pena both homer.
- Joe Sprake pitched 1.2 innings with four strikeouts and no earned runs.
