Lake County survives via Metoyer bomb

 

Jason Peevyhouse

Editor, JP Productions Sports

With the game tied at 3-3 after five innings and the one-hour and 45 minute time limit expired, the Lake County Middle School baseball team got a big blast from Harrison Metoyer, who extended the Falcon season with a go-ahead homer to help the green and gold to a 6-3 win over Ripley in the opening round of the West Tennessee Athletic Conference Tournament at Three Oaks on Monday evening.

The Tigers had looked to end the game in the bottom of the fifth as leadoff batter Brantley Sanders drew a leadoff walk then stole second before advancing to third during the next batter’s at bat. But, Metoyer was also dealing on the mound as he struck out the next three batters to strand Sanders at third.

With the time limit already expired as the top of the sixth inning began, Camden Lanier led off the top of the frame with a single then J.C. Butler reached on an error to give the Falcons two on with no one out. Metoyer took the first pitch then sent the second pitch over the centerfielder’s head and over the fence for a three-run go-ahead home run. Lake County managed to get an M.J. Porter single and a Levi Whitson walk with one out before Ripley escaped the inning with the Falcons up 6-3.

After a leadoff ground out and a walk, Metoyer struck out his tenth batter of the game for the second out then got a groundout to end the game and advance to Tuesday’s semifinal matchup against top-seeded and undefeated Three Oaks.

Ripley got the scoring going in the bottom of the first with two runs but Lake County answered in the top of the third. Lanier reached on a one-out error then scored when Butler reached on another error. Metoyer then singled in another run to tie the game at 2-2 after two and a half frames.

Lake County took the lead in the top of the fourth inning as four straight walks pushed across a run to give the Falcons a 3-2 advantage.

Ripley answered as a leadoff single from Caden Pitts proved costly as – in the process of Metoyer striking out three straight batters – Pitts scored on a passed ball before the third strikeout to end the frame with the game tied at 3-3.

Lake County looked to retake the lead with one out as three straight walks again loaded the bases. But, the Tigers went to reliever Crockett Peyton, who struck out the next two batters to keep the game tied.

Metoyer had a home run and a single to lead the way at the plate for the Falcons, driving in four of the team’s six runs as well.

Metoyer also picked up the win in relief, allowing one run on one hit with ten strikeouts in four innings of work.

Lake County will take on Three Oaks in the semifinals of the West Tennessee Athletic Conference Tournament on the Choctaws’ homefield on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

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