It took an extra inning but the Coffee Trojans halted the skid, winning a big region matchup 5-2 against the Veterans Warhawks Tuesday night in Kathleen.
Second baseman Jimmy Timothy has been out a few games with an injury. He returned to action Tuesday and made an immediate impact, going 3-5 with an RBI, a stolen base, and leading the Trojans in total bases.
Coffee scored one in the second and one in the sixth. The Warhawks scored a run in the third and the fourth.
The game was tied 2-2 in the seventh when the Trojans made a little noise. Timothy led off with a single. After a strikeout and a line out, Eli Wood singled to center, moving Timothy to second. Coffee, however, couldn’t get a run across. In the bottom of the inning, Will Walker, who threw three innings of relief, retired the Warhawks in order.
The Trojans didn’t want to miss another opportunity. Will Day led off the eighth with a walk. Reid Harden followed with a bunt that Veterans misplayed. Harden was safe and made it to second. Day was able to get around the bases and score for a 3-2 lead. Next, Eli Vickers reached on another bunt, moving Reid Harden to third. That got things back around to the top of the order. Ben Fussell hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Reid Harden and giving Coffee a 4-2 advantage. Timothy followed with a single that drove in Vickers. The inning ended with the Trojans up 5-2.
Once again, Walker recorded another 1-2-3 inning to end the game and giving his team a much-needed win.
Starter Gavin McElroy scattered five hits across five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out six and walking one. Walker finished out the final three innings, striking out two and walking one. He didn’t give up a run or a hit.
Timothy was the only Trojan with multiple hits. Designated hitter Hunter Klesko doubled for Coffee’s only extra base hit.
The Trojans are 13-11 overall this season and 6-7 in region competition. They face Veterans at Charles Wilson Field in Douglas for a Friday afternoon doubleheader. First pitch is set for 4:30 p.m.
