By DAVID WOOD, for The Democrat
Coming off a close 2-3 loss to Owen Valley, the Brown County High School varsity baseball team returned home April 19, seeking redemption against Eastern Greene.
The Eagles more than succeeded, closing the door early against the Thunder Birds 13-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning, via the 10-run mercy rule.
Ryan Wilcoxen, head coach for the Eagles, said the game-winning play was a walk-off balk. It was set into motion by an attempted steal from Jake Riehl, the center fielder.
“We called in a steal and they had an inexperienced pitcher that hadn’t much mound time. He lifted his leg up and then went to second base, which you can’t do without a runner on second,” Wilcoxen said.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]This misstep led Branden Leslie, second baseman for the Eagles, to advance home from third, scoring the final run.
Leslie, a 16-year-old junior who has been playing since he was 6, felt that he and the team performed well while coming off a tough loss.
“Yesterday we had an off day, but we came back and fought and forgot the loss,” he said. “I think I had a solid game. I only got out once at the plate and had pretty good defense. … A pretty good game in my eyes.”
Grant Suding, 18-year-old senior and pitcher for the Eagles, agreed with Leslie, highlighting the team’s attitude.
“We worked as a team and did very well,” he said. “I thought we were really competitive and our spirits were up for tonight’s game.”
While the Eagles may not have the roster size of a larger school, Suding believes they make up for it with teamwork, which led to the night’s win. “We’re working really well together and are close. There are no smaller groups, it’s just one big team and family,” he said.
He hopes the team keeps together as the season progresses toward sectionals.
“I hope that we stay strong and keep our heads up, even if we lose,” he said. “Hopefully, by the time sectionals come, around we’re sharp and clean.”
Leslie’s sights are also on the end of the season. He believes he and his team have a great chance at winning sectionals as long as they stay on top of their game.
“One of the main goals is to win sectionals at the end of the year. We have to be playing our best ball at that time, and I think we have a great chance,” he said.
“We’ll win some more games, I know it.”
