The Manual baseball team was just one run away from pulling off another comeback. In a game where the Crimsons went down 4-0, Male held off Manual 4-3 to advance to the region 7 championship game. Manual’s season is now over after a record of 24-11.
Male came ready to play early, taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Chris Allen and Heath Brownley both had big hits for Male to take an early advantage that Manual would chase the rest of the game. The bulldogs got two more runs in the fourth off a Daniel McFarland hit that went all the way to the fence. Male then had a 4-0 lead that would end up being just enough to advance to the region 7 championship against St. Xavier at Jim Patterson Stadium on Thursday night.
Manual got their first hit of the game in the fifth inning, when Alec Dunn (who will be playing at Hanover) had an RBI single to start the Manual rally. The sixth inning is what excited the rowdy Manual student section and when the Manual team really started believing. The Crimsons had the bases loaded with Sam Coryell (11) up to bat. Male’s pitcher then walked Coryell which made the score 4-2. The Crimsons came a little closer before the inning ended from a RBI single by Gordon (11) making the score 4-3.
Manual’s defense came up big in the bottom of the sixth, going into the final inning with a chance to tie the game. However, Manual would strand Harness (10) on second base ending their season in a 4-3 loss to arch rival Male High School. Manual’s players shared their emotions on twitter.
Nathan Smith (12): ” It sucks knowing ill never get to put that jersey on again with my brothers. I love every single one of you with all my heart. Thank you”
Ben Hachten (12) : “Although we came up short, we did things no one expected us to do this season. We believed in each other when others didn’t. Family forever”
Connor Kriz (12) : “Had a guy in White Castle tell me ball games come and go but the guys you play with will always be there with you. #neededthat”
Sam Coryell (11) : “Looking at pictures of the student section I literally screamed. I’m sorry we let you all down, I can’t even describe how much you all mean.”
