The High Point-Thomasville HiToms (11-7) earned a split of a doubleheader on Thursday night in Martinsville, scored four unanswered runs in the last two innings to win game one before two Mustang pitchers combined for a shutout in game two.
On a night where pitching dominated, Jake Tate and Dillen Miller both pitched well throughout game one. Tate threw five innings, allowing just one run on an RBI groundout. Miller held the HiToms off the board until the sixth.
Ellis Stokes led off the inning with a single, setting the table for the HiToms offense. Two batters later, Luke Spiva smoked a baseball past the second baseman for an RBI double, cutting the lead to one.
Martinsville stuck with Caleb Fuller for the seventh, and the HiToms were able to take advantage. After a leadoff walk, Von Seibert stung a pitch to the right field corner for a triple, scoring CJ Johnson, tying the game. Three batters later, Ellis Stokes came to the plate with the bases loaded in a tie ballgame.
Stokes missed a bunt attempt and took a strike before the deciding pitch. Stokes bunted up the first base line, executing a squeeze bunt. First baseman Phil Ferranti flipped to the plate high, allowing Seibert to score the go-ahead run. DH Luke Spiva hit a sacrifice fly to double the lead before the middle of the inning.
Chace Harris and Tristan Snyder relieved in a scoreless pair of innings to earn the win and save. Snyder struck out the side in his seventh inning, raising his season total to 14.
In game two, the offensive momentum fell flat in a 4-0 shutout loss. Alex Stone had two of the HiToms’ five hits in the HP-T loss.
High Point-Thomasville immediately has a chance at revenge, battling Martinsville Friday at 7 p.m. Fridays feature Burgers and Brews at Finch Field. The burger of the week is the Nacho Burger, available for $6. Burgers and beer will be discounted for all Burgers and Brews promotional nights this year. For tickets, head to hitoms.com or visit the Finch Field ticket office on game days.