Kenwood Scores Four in the 7th to Beat Perry Hall

Kenwood's Larry Hicks had eight strikeouts and helped
his team rally in the final inning.

- by Ben Boehl -

Kenwood and Perry Hall's baseball teams battled in the sun for a special Saturday morning game. Both offenses were dominated by good pitching as Kenwood's Larry Hicks faced Perry Hall's Nick Kuklance.
The Bluebirds had an opportunity in the second inning after Josh Castillo led off with a double, but on the next play, the next batter lined into a double play. Kenwood's batters had trouble with Kuklance's pitching all day.
The Perry Hall's offense also struggled against Hicks as he struck out eight batters.
"My team supported today with good defense," Hick said after the game.
But the Gators finally did some damage to Hicks in the top of the fifth. Ben Saffer started off the inning with a walk. Then Shawn McKnight got a hit with a bunt. The next batter Adam Prescott was hit by a pitch and suddenly the bases were loaded. Billy Ibex laid down another for a hit and Saffer scored the first run of the game. Malin scored the second run of the inning after a passed ball. The Gators took a 2-0 lead, but Hicks was able to get a strike out and a groundout to end the inning. Perry Hall added one more run as Prescott reached base with a hit and later scored the Gator's third run.
Kenwood was down 3-0 in the final inning. Assistant coach Don Keener said he was concerned about the team performance and wished they would play up to their potential for the full game.
"When we play seven clean innings, we will be okay," he stated.
Castillo led off the bottom of the seventh for Kenwood with an infield hit. Then Coach Elmer McCann brought in Brent Moreland for Kuklance, but Moreland couldn't find the strike zone. Castillo was brought home after a hit from Jonathan Novak. Donald Stone came in as a pinch hitter and walked to load the bases. Then Moreland walked Justin Bromwell and Hicks to tie the game. With two outs and the bases loaded, Charlie Meyers hit a sharp ground ball to first and just barely beat out the throw to allow the winning run to score. Kenwood won the game 4-3.
"It showed a lot of character," Keener said about the comeback. "It has been that way all year long."