The Caldwell County Tigers broke open a tie game with a four run inning in the top of the 7th, only to see Warren East rally in the bottom of the inning with five runs of their own to upend the Tigers 6-5 Thursday afternoon in Bowling Green. The game had entered the final inning tied at 1-1 before all the fireworks started.
For five innings the game was completely dominated by the starting pitchers, Cody Holub, for Caldwell County, and Ryan Hawks, for Warren East. Holub gave up only one hit over the first five innings, while Hawks gave up just two, as the two hurlers locked up in a scoreless pitcher’s duel.
Caldwell County finally broke the ice in the top of the 6th inning. Gabe East led off the inning with a single and then later scored on a single from Tate VanHooser to give Caldwell County a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom half of the inning, Hawks helped his own cause, driving one over the left field fence to even the game at 1-1 headed into the 7th inning.
The Tigers led off the 7th with singles from Oliver Parker and Brian Owen, and a walk to Trace Lacy, to load the bases with no outs. Parker would score on a passed ball and Levin East would reach base on a dropped 3rd strike to reload the bases. A bases loaded walk to Gabe East made it 3-1. Cody Holub then singled to left field to score the Easts and give the Tigers a 5-1 lead, and put them seemingly in control of the game.
The Warren East rally in the bottom of the 7th began with back-to-back walks from Gabe East. The Tigers then brought in Logan Smiley to try and close out the game. Smiley walked the first batter he faced to load the bases with no outs. A fielder’s choice grounder cut the Caldwell lead to 5-2. Tanner Burckhard then doubled to centerfield to cut the lead to 5-3.
Another walk and the bases were loaded again with just one out. Ryan Hawks singled to drive in two runs and tie the game at 5-5. Jonah Vance followed that up with a single to centerfield to cap the rally and end the game.
Cody Holub was 1-4, with 2 RBIs for Caldwell County. Oliver Parker was 2-3 with a run scored. Tate VanHooser ended up 2-4, with an RBI. Gabe East went 1-3, with an RBI, and two runs scored.
Gabe East was charged with four runs on four hits in six innings of work, after not being able to get an out in the bottom of the 7th inning. East struck out eight and walked six. Logan Smiley finished out the game, officially going 1/3 of an inning, giving up two runs on three hits, and walking one.