by Andrew Straub

Two days after the Memphis Tigers blew a nine-point lead with two minutes to play in the NCAA men’s basketball National Championship game, the Perry Hall Gators gave their fans a similar scare.

After throwing three nearly flawless innings, starting pitcher Zach Fisher saw his 4-0 lead collapse after some timely Catonsville hitting and some careless Gator fielding in the bottom of the fourth.  Perry Hall was able to recover though, as first baseman Zach Nowak’s RBI double in the top of the sixth provided the winning run as the Gators prevailed 5-4, Wednesday afternoon in Catonsville.  The win marks the first time Perry Hall has beaten the Comets during coach Ross Butler’s tenure.

“It feels good to win here. It’s always nice to get a win especially in a one-run game like this,” said Butler.  “In my five years, this is the first time that we have beat Catonsville so it’s especially nice to do it here.”

Trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the fourth, Catonsville (2-1) managed to get on the board after three straight one-out hits, capped off by second baseman Christian Curry’s double to right center that scored Geoff Hendrix and Jeremy Mannone.  Fisher then walked the next batter to put runners on first and second with third baseman Matt Kruger stepping to the plate for what would prove to be a costly at bat for the Gators.

Kruger hit a line-drive single that was fielded cleanly by centerfielder Chris Thompson and fired into the cut-off man.  The relay was cut-off in front of the mound by Nowak,  who then threw an erratic throw to second trying to stop Kruger from extending his single.  The ball rolled into the outfield, where a difficult hop caused Thompson to misplay the overthrow and allow the tying run to score all the way from first.  

Fortunately for the Gators (4-1), Fisher was able to buckle down on the mound and regain his focus, striking out three of the next four Catonsville batters to halt the rally.    

“That type of inning almost always happens. You get a little bit of a lead and you get that lack of momentum when you get a little bit of a cushion and it just tends to even out over the course of the game,” said Butler.  “I wasn’t too worried about it we never fell behind or got in a panic mode.”  

Perry Hall would push across what proved to be the winning run in the top of the sixth, as Nowak’s two-out double to right field scored Shawn Malin.  

Fisher pitched all seven innings, striking out eight batters while only walking one.  For the Comets, starting pitcher Justin Whittington struck out four and walked five while giving up five runs in six innings of work.

Asked whether he was concerned on the mound after Catonsville had tied the game, Fisher had “no doubts” his team would still make the necessary plays.

“I still trusted my teammates.  I knew that if they hit it to them again, they would come through with the play,” said Fisher.

Perry Hall now continues their four-game week Friday with a road match up against league rival Dulaney.  Butler hopes this win will build his team’s confidence and carry throughout their rigorous week.

“The win is good for our momentum.  The four-game week is already starting to wear on us and playing against Dulaney at the end of this week makes it tough,” said Butler.  “But its good for our confidence level and that always helps.”

Perry Hall 5, Catonsville 4

                  1  2  3   4   5  6    7   R  H  E
Perry Hall     0   0  2   2   0   1    0   5   8   3
Catonsville    0  0  0    4   0   0    0   4   8   1
Fisher and Miller; Whittington and Bradshaw. 2B: Perry Hall–Malin, Lee, Nowak. Catonsville–Hendrix, Curry; 3B: Perry Hall-McKnight