Williamstown tops Madonna, 14-3, to force game 3 in regional
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WEIRTON -- Williamstown walked a tightrope leaving its freshman pitcher in the game after he allowed three first-inning runs, but once the Yellowjacket bats delivered Parker Schramm was practically unhittable.
In an elimination game for Williamstown on Tuesday, the Yellowjackets defeated Madonna 14-3 in six innings in the second game of the Class A, Region I best-of-three championship.
"The thing about Parker, when he goes out there and we score for him his confidence level is extremely high," Williamstown coach Levi Maxwell said after his ballclub improved to 25-5. "After we scored five runs in the second inning and two more in the third inning, he was absolutely locked in.
"It was almost exactly the same game when we played Madonna during the regular season. Parker got into trouble early, granted today he gave us a little bit of a scare. It was a little worrisome at the beginning, but he was locked in, I've never seen a freshman, especially, come through in a big game situation like he did today."
After the first inning, Schramm allowed just one hit while completing a five scoreless innings. Williamstown, which left nine men on base and multiple runners stranded in scoring position in Monday's 4-2 loss, roughed up Madonna pitching for 14 hits in Game 2. Leewood Molessa, who went hitless in Monday's first game, was on a mission and went 4-for-4 with a double and two triples, and drove in five runs.
A total of five Yellowjackets enjoyed multi-hit games. Ty Ott was 2-for-5 with an RBI. Luke Ankrom doubled and tripled, and had two RBIs. Harbor Haught contributed a pair of doubles and drove in a run. Carson Hill finished 2-for-3 at the plate. Maxwell Molessa added a triple to long list of extra base hits.
"We left seven runners on base, but it was different today," coach Maxwell said. "When we did have guys in scoring position, not only did they put it in play but we actually had extra base hits. Our guys were really seeing it well at the plate and kind of unloaded."
The third and deciding game takes place Wednesday with first pitch scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Legion Field. The Yellowjackets have a solid stable of arms at their disposal. Coach Maxwell mentioned Madonna's pitching situation is in a similar spot.
"We have yet to decide who will start for us -- we have a couple of different options," coach Maxwell said.
"Madonna probably has three to four pitchers who can throw strikes.
"We just need to stay away from the big innings and try to minimize damage. I figure Wednesday's game will be more high scoring. But it's baseball, and you never know."