Unearned runs costly as Hornets fall to Fort White

By Ed Taylor, Sports Correspondent

March 05, 2008 05:24 pm

— Fort White scored two unearned runs in the top of the fifth inning and went on to post a 7-4 win over the host Lafayette Hornets last Saturday afternoon at Lafayette. The game was a non district affair.
Hornet starter Ethan Perry struggled from the mound in the fifth inning but a two-base throwing error to begin the inning did not help Perry’s cause. The two teams were locked up in a 4-4 tie as the Indians came to bat in their half of the fifth inning. Alex Gonzalez grounded to Hornet third baseman Bubba Fillyaw who’s throw to first was wide.
The errant throw allowed Gonzalez to advance to second base. Dustin Casso laid down a sacrifice bunt. The ball was fielded by Perry who went to third with the throw in attempt to nail Gonzalez at third. The throw sailed past Fillyaw allowing Gonzalez to score. Casso eventually came home on David Thompson’s RBI double to make it a 6-4 game.
Matt Milton, who come on in relief of Perry allowed the Indians a run in the top of the seventh. Tyler Sherrod, who reached on a fielder’s choice play, came home on George Demko’s ground rule double to left field for a 7-4 margin.
The Hornets led 2-1 after the first inning. Perry and Cody Singletary opened the Lafayette first with consecutive singles. Perry eventually scored on Fillyaw’s ground out to third. Singletary scored on Ragan Knight’s RBI single for the one run lead.
Fort White, who took the 1-0 lead when Sherrod scored on Thomas Barnes’ run producing single in the first, tied the game at 2-2 with the run in their half of the second. Sherrod scored his second run of the game on an RBI single by Alex Gilmer.
The Hornets went back in front 3-2 with a run in the bottom of the inning. With two out, Jon Anderson walked and scored on a base hit by Singletary.
The Indians plated two runs in their half of the third inning taking a 4-3 lead. A walk to Matt Hatcher and a hit batter set the stage for the rally. Both runs were unearned as the Hornets committed two errors in the frame. In a strange accident, Hatcher was helped off the field when he supposedly broke an ankle in an attempt to get back to second base. Hatcher was taken to a hospital for examinations.
The last tie of the game came in the Hornets third on a one out walk to Chad Hempstead and Sergio Perez’s RBI hit. Thompson replaced Casso on the hill and worked the next two innings allowing the Hornets no runs. Lafayette was shutout over the final four innings scratching out four hits.
Perry suffered the setback for Lafayette working five full innings. He gave up six runs on six hits walking five batters and striking out two. He also hit one batter. Milton went the final two innings giving up a run on five hits. He had one strikeout and hit one batter. He did not walk anyone.
Casso secured the win in relief of Evans. Casso went two and a third innings surrendering two runs on three hits. Thompson hurled two frames and did not allow a run on two hits. Gilmer pitched the final inning with no runs and one hit.
Singletary finished with three safeties for the Hornets. Perry collected two hits. Hempstead, Milton and Perez had one safety each.
Catcher Dakota Carpenter picked up three hits for the Indians. Sherrod, who scored three runs, collected two hits.