Redbirds Split with Crickets

ASHEVILLE, N.C.– Kevin Mattison delivered a game-winning single for Asheville in the bottom of the seventh of game one and Rand Baughman had the game-winning hit for Spartanburg in the sixth inning of game two as the Redbirds and Crickets split a double header 8-7 and 10-9 at Greenwood Field on Sunday.

Asheville lead game one 6-3 going to the seventh inning. Spartanburg rallied for four runs all with two outs in the top of the inning. Matthew Awtry was hit by a pitch to lead off. The next two batters were retired before Travis Adair, and Baughman singled to load the bases. Adam Wood singled home Awtry and Adair to make the score 6-5. Evan McDole doubled home Baughman and Wood to give the Crickets the lead.

Preston Shyttle doubled to lead off the bottom of the inning. After being sacrificed to third, Thomas Nelson walked to put runners at the corners. Scott Russell singled to tie the game and Mattison followed with the game winner to give the Redbirds the 8-7 victory.

Game started with runs right from the start. Spartanburg scored three in the top of the first only to have Asheville answer with three in the bottom half of the inning. The Crickets scored four runs in the second but once again Asheville tied the game with four runs in the bottom of the inning.

The Crickets scored two more in the third to take a 9-7 lead. The Redbirds got one run back in the bottom of the third as Shyttle singled and scored on a wild pitch.

The Redbirds tied the game in the fourth. Mattison tripled and scored on a RBI ground out by Dane Phillips.

The game remained tied until the sixth. Thomas Lee reached base on a fielder’s choice, stole second base and scored on the a base hit by Baughman.

Baughman went 4-for-4 in the night cap after going 3-for-4 in the opener. He also pulled off a success straight steal of home in the first game. He scored five runs in the top games and had two RBI including the game winner in the second game.

Mattison went 3-for-4 in the first game with two RBI. J.J. Buchanan went 2-for-3 in the opener and Michael McKee was 2-for-2 with 2 RBI in game one. Phillips went 2-for-3 with four RBI in the night cap for the Redbirds.