The High Point-Thomasville HiToms (7-3) fell on Thursday after a valiant effort in a 9-6 loss to the 6-6 Martinsville Mustangs. HP-Thomasville scored six runs in the ninth inning to bring them back from a 9-0 deficit, but flew out with the tying run at the plate to end the game.

The Mustangs scrapped their way to a 9-0 lead behind clutch base hits. HP-T started the road back with a walk from Colby Wilkerson with one out in the ninth. Alex Stone walked one batter later. Luke Spiva singled to load the bases for CJ Johnson. Johnson was hit by a pitch, setting the table for the HiToms’ future success.

After a run-scoring error, the table was set for first basemen Noah Ledford. Ledford hit 14 home runs for Georgia Southern in the spring, and was waiting for his first ahead of his ninth inning plate appearance. Ledford took a fastball high, deep, and far for the HiToms second grand slam of the season. With the score 9-6, the HiToms brought the tying run on deck, but Colby Wilkerson flied out to end the game.

High Point-Thomasville returns to action tomorrow in a modified doubleheader with Forest City. The HiToms and Owls will pick up a rain-suspended game in the fourth inning at 5:00 p.m. The regularly scheduled HiToms and Owls game will be seven innings and begin 30 minutes after game one. For live video coverage of the game, head to FloBaseball.tv, and search ‘HiToms’.