Scots down Yellow Jackets
MOUNT VERNON — The Highland High School baseball team remained undefeated with a victory over Mount Vernon Tuesday night at Yellow Jacket field. The Scots outslugged the Jackets, 13-6, in a decidedly offensively driven game.
The first three innings saw a very competitive battle between the two teams and going into the top of the fourth inning the score was tied at 2. Highland (5-0) seemed to turn on the intensity and capitalized on Jackets’ mistakes, leading to a seven-run fourth inning.
Highland led off the inning with the first two batters drawing a walk. After a groundout and yet another walk, shortstop Gar Keen hit a two-run single with the bases loaded. Mount Vernon (3-1) then committed a costly error which again loaded the bases and Highland center fielder Zach Hampton came though, providing a bases-clearing double. The Scots finished the inning comfortably ahead, 9-2.
“We were out there for so many pitches and for so long,” said Mount Vernon head coach Doug Savage. “When you’re out there for so many pitches, it’s almost like your defense goes to sleep and when the ball is hit to you, you can’t make plays.”
The Jackets fought back in the bottom of the fourth with three runs of their own, but the deficit was simply too much to overcome. Defense was at a premium with a combined 10 errors and 10 walks between the two teams. Highland committed six errors and allowed four base-on-balls and Mount Vernon committed four errors and allowed six walks.
Savage compared the season to a wrestling match.
“We are always the wrestler that is underneath” said Savage. “Eventually, you have to get on the top in that wrestling match and stay on top for as long as you can, and right now, we can’t quite get on top. We are always fighting from underneath.”
Highland had its own issues as well.
“This is not the type of defense we like to play” said Highland head coach Travis Church, “but the good thing is we had the bats. Sometimes good teams win ugly.”
Church was worried about intensity after an exciting victory for Highland over Buckeye Valley on Monday, but his team was up to the task.
“We knew coming over it would be a dog fight. I told the guys, even when we were up on them, we can’t let the intensity down,” Church said.
“Our strategy was to come in and not be intimidated by a Division I school”, said Hampton. “We wanted to come out hot and be aggressive at the plate”.
Highland was led by Zach Hampton who went 3-for-4 with five RBI. Gar Keen went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI. Every member of the Highland starting lineup ended up with at least one run scored.
Mount Vernon was led by Nate Short, who went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a RBI. Josh Clinger went 1-for-2 with two runs scored.
“Everyone is coming in trying to give us their best shot” said Savage. “We have a young team and we are learning on the job. You can’t give up 13 runs and walk guys. We are just giving our opponents too many scoring opportunities.”
Mount Vernon plays two more nonconference games this week before beginning conference play next week. They travel to Marion Harding today and are at home against Newark on Thursday, both games start at 5 p.m.
Highland meets Cardington High School at Cardington on Friday at 5 p.m.
