Foxpro forces pivotal game five

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: July 28, 2023

By: Joshua Yoder
LEWISTOWN – Spike Island look to close the game out but Foxpro got behind the efforts of Isaiah Kearns and edged out a 3-2 victory in game four of the CCBL semi-final matchup Thursday night at Mifflin County High School.
The game featured a major pitching duel between Kearns of the Predators while the Pirates looked to Zach Tiracorda for the win.
Both pitchers were putting in work throughout the whole game. In fact, both pitchers combined for 20 strikeouts and just one walk. Kearns had 14 strikeouts and no walks while Tiracorda collected six strikeouts and allowed the one walk in the game.
Foxpro got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the first inning as Kearns knocked in Jaxson Pupo with an RBI double to left center field to put them up 1-0.
Spike Island answered in the top half of the third inning where Nick Gustkey blasted the ball up the middle that brought home Ryan Kephart to even things out at one apiece.
The Pirates then took the lead in the top of the fourth inning thanks to a first pitch missile courtesy of Mike Kitko to go up 2-1.
But the Predators answered right back in the bottom half of the same inning as Hayden Snook rocketed a single to right scoring Jaxson Pupo to even the game up at two.
The game appeared as though just one mishap could be all that was needed to come up out on top with a victory. And that moment came in the bottom of the sixth inning where Spike Island had two outs in the frame but, Foxpro had the bases loaded. Josh Rosefsky stepped up to the plate and found himself in a tense battle with Tiracorda that went to a full-count. But ultimately it was Rosefsky who came out on top and drew a walk which ended up being the game winning run.
Kearns and Snook led the Predators at the plate as each went 3-for-3 with an RBI. The Pirates were led by Kephart who went 2-for-4 with a run scored while Gustkey batted 3-for-4 with an RBI.
The series is now tied at (2-2) and the fifth and final game will be played on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. over at Philipsburg Osceola High School.