Big Valley 10/11s keep rolling; drops tough State College team

By rscaife
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Updated: June 27, 2018

Big Valley 10/11 All Stars kept to their winning ways tonight with a 7 – 6 victory over a feisty State College team. The Big Valley crowd was loud, large, red and full of energy. State College lost the coin toss but drew first blood on two consecutive hits by Powers and Gual that scored Cunningham in the top of the first. Big Valley starting pitcher, Sunderland struck out the final batter with two runners on base to end the Big Valley scare. It didn’t take long for Big Valley to answer. Strohecker led off the bottom of the first inning with a single off the pitcher’s glove. After two wild pitches, Strohecker was rounded third and scored on an overthrow to third base by the State College catcher. That was all the offense Big Valley could manage in the first inning.

State College manufactured a run after several Big Valley miscues to take a 2 – 1 lead into the bottom of the 2nd. Alexander led off the bottom of the second with a walk and scooted to second on a pass ball. Davis was hit by a pitch and Bauman walked to load the bases. Parkes hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield that scored Alexander from third, tying the game at two.

State College answered once again with Pantall leading off the third with a single to right center. Corkery drew a walk before Big Valley manager went to Sunday’s starter, Alexander in relief. Walker singled to center loading the bases. Kramer singled to right field with one out driving in Pantall. Alexander did not panic, he retired the next two State College batters to hold the score at 3 – 2. Big Valley’s Weaver led off the bottom half of the third inning with a walk and scampered to second on a wild pitch. Atherton reached on an error moving Weaver to third. Alexander helped his cause by singling to right driving in Weaver to tie the game at three.

State College led off the fourth inning with a single to centerfield by Powers. Alexander found his groove and retired the side in order. Big Valley bats exploded in the bottom of the fourth inning for four runs on five consecutive hits. Ruth led off with a line drive single to right. This set the table for the shot that erupted the Big Valley crowd. Diehl sent a 1 – 0 pitch over the left centerfield fence for a two run homerun. Strohecker kept things rolling with a single to left, he took advantage of a State College miscue and ended up at second base. Weaver reached safely on a bunt single, moving Strohecker to third. Sunderland followed with a single of his own driving in Strohecker. Weaver later scored on a fielder’s choice by Alexander. After four innings Big Valley held a 7 – 3 lead.

Alexander retired the State College batters in order catching two line drives hit back at him ending the top half of the fifth. State College retired the first two Big Valley hitters to start the bottom half of the fifth. Big Valley attempted a two out rally with Strohecker singling to left and Weaver drawing a walk but State College pitcher, Corkery got the final out to keep the score 7 – 4 going into the final frame.

With Big Valley’s Alexander still on the mound State College bats came alive. Rhoades and Cunningham both singled. With one out Gaul loaded the bases with a single of his own. Big Valley called on their closer, Weaver, to come in to seal the deal. After Pantall walked, Rhoades scored cutting the lead to 7 – 4. Weaver struck out the next State College batter. With two outs and the bases loaded, a costly Big Valley miscue in the infield led to Cunningham and Gaul scoring. Making the score 7 – 6. With two outs and the tying run on third, Sunderland fielded a ground ball at shortstop and tagged second base to end the State College rally and the game.

Big Valley manager Stephen Alexander “I’ve been apart of many baseball games, this by far was the most exciting I’ve ever experienced. I love these boys, their heart, and their never quit attitude.” “I have a team of baseball players.” “My hats off to a great State College team that is certainly well coached.”

Big Valley’s Strohecker had three hits. Strohecker and Weaver both scored two runs each. Alexander and Diehl each drove in 2 RBI’s.

State College hitters Powers and Gaul both had two hits. Cunningham scored two runs.

Big Valley plays Phillipsburg on Saturday June 30 at a site to be determined.