Late rally gives Gallipolis 2-0 win over Jackson

[jottings]

Gallipolis scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to edge visiting Jackson 2-0 in a Southeastern Ohio Athletic League Southern Division baseball game on Memorial Field Wednesday evening.

The victory left GAHS 10-1 overall and 6-0 in division play. Jackson dropped to 3-7 overall and 1-5 in conference action. GAHS will host second place Ironton in a twin bill on Memorial Field Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. Jackson’s next league game is Wednesday, April 21, at Ironton. Jackson’s Saturday twinbill with Portsmouth has been moved to Saturday, May 1.

Jackson’s Kruize Wandling and Gallipolis’ Justin Bailey locked up in a tight pitcher’s duel for four and one-half innings Wednesday before GAHS broke the ice with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Ben Saunders led off with a single to start the rally. Saunders went to second on a wild pitch. Caleb Warnimont beat out an infield single with Saunders going to third. At this point, Jackson’s Josh Cunningham replaced former GAHS ace Wandling with no outs. After a steal by Warnimont, Tyler Eastman stroked a two-run single to give the Blue Devils their only runs of the night.

Cunningham then stomped out the rally by fanning GAHS ace Kyle Dingoes, then got Terry Smith on a pop up and retired Chuck Calvart on a sharp liner to short, but the damage was done.

Wandling was charged with the defeat. He allowed two runs on four hits. Jackson made two errors behind Wandling. In two innings, Cunningham allowed one hit and walked two.

Justin Bailey, in four innings, allowed no runs on one hit, walked three and fanned five Ironmen. Calvart replaced Bailey in the top of the fifth after Bailey complained of a sore arm. Calvart was credited with the win. GAHS played errorless ball. In three innings, Calvart gave up two hits, fanned six and walked none for the victory.

Collecting Jackson’s three singles were Wandling, Walker and Anderson.

Blue Devil safeties were recorded by Casey Denbow, a double in three trips, Tyler Eastmen two hits in three trips and two runs batted in, Kyle Dingess a single in two trips and Terry Smith had one for two.

Both teams hit the ball hard throughout the game but both teams made several outstanding defensive plays in a game played in perfect 76-degree weather.

GAHS got out of a jam in the third inning as Wandling lined into a double play. Jackson got out of a jam in the fourth when it appeared Brandon Taylor singled in a run with two out, but the GAHS third baseman tripped and then was tagged out by the Jackson catcher.

Score by innings:
Jackson… 000 000 0 – 0-3-2
Gallipolis…. 000 020 x – 2-5-0
WP—Calvart, (5th); Bailey pitched first 4 innings; LP—Wandling, Cunningham, (5th).

[MTSWNGRVSG]

Does that make Justin Bailey 4-0 as a pitcher this year?

[GalliaGrad78]

Sweet!

[jottings]

My mistake. Calvart came on in the top of the fifth and hurled the final three innings for the win as GAHS scored its two runs in the bottom of the fifth.

[vballplayer13]

Way to go Blue Devils!! Lets keep winning!!