Cougars top Wildcats, 2-0, in pitchers' duel
Michael Lindsay | HPE
HIGH POINT - In a game of limited opportunities, the High Point Christian baseball team turned its chances into runs, while Westchester Country Day left its on the bases.
The Cougars scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings and held off the Wildcats' threats to win 2-0 on Tuesday at Westchester in a meeting of nonconference rivals and two of the state's top programs.
Click here for more photos from Tuesday's game.
Zach McLean hit a solo home run in the fourth while Josh Nifong had an RBI single in the fifth to key HPCA (8-0-1), which reached the NCISAA 3A championship series last year. Curtis Dillon also had two hits, including a double.
"Zach got a pitch up in the zone, and he didn't miss it," Cougars coach Corey Gesell said. "He's been doing that - it's his second year here. He gets a pitch, he's patient, and he doesn't miss it. So, that gave us the lead, and Josh Nifong hit that single. That was a good at-bat.
"He's a sophomore lefty facing a tough left-hander, and he hung in there and went the other way. Luke (Gesell) had a good start, threw the ball well, and our defense played really well. And Dylan (Wilkinson) came in the last three innings and shut the door. So, it's really a staff, team effort."
Will Shields went 2 for 3 as the lone multi-hit batter for Westchester (4-2), which has won three straight NCISAA 2A state titles. Luke Gesell (3-0) got the win while Dylan Wilkinson picked up his second save. Troy Polen (1-2) took the loss.
"We threw the ball really well and played clean defense," Wildcats coach Mickey Williard said. "But you've got to score to win. We had some quality at-bats, but we didn't string them together. And you've got to string them together against a guy who can throw the ball.
"Their starter was at times wild. But, when he needed to make a good pitch, he did. More often than not, we watched those go by. And we could've done some damage on those. We talked about having some opportunities we missed. But all you can ask of your starting pitcher is to give you a chance, and he did that."
After both teams went scoreless through three innings, McLean hit a solo home run deep to left-center field with two outs in the top of the fourth to give HPCA, which is ranked No. 2 among 3A private school teams, a 1-0 lead.
Then, in the fifth, Dillon blooped a double into shallow left that barely bounced in front of Westchester's diving outfielder. After an errant pickoff attempt moved him to third, Dillon scored on a one-out single into left by Nifong for a 2-0 lead.
"It was great (to gain the lead)," said McLean, a senior, "because it takes a lot off the pitcher's back. And we felt good, as far as hitting the ball. He threw me a first-pitch fastball for a ball and I guess it was a changeup for a ball. So, I knew I'd get something pretty good. He left a fastball up, and I hit it pretty good."
That was just enough for the Cougars to hold off the Wildcats, ranked No. 1 among 2A private school teams. Westchester did put runners on first and second with two outs in the third and second and third with one out in the fourth.
But Luke Gesell, who scattered four hits and two walks over four innings, escaped without allowing a run. And then Wilkinson gave up one hit over the final three innings. Meanwhile, Polen allowed seven hits and one walk in seven innings.
HPCA plays again Thursday at home against GC Heat, while the Cougars face another challenge Friday at home against Wesleyan Christian, ranked No. 3 among 3A private school teams.
Michael Lindsay | HPE
HIGH POINT - In a game of limited opportunities, the High Point Christian baseball team turned its chances into runs, while Westchester Country Day left its on the bases.
The Cougars scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings and held off the Wildcats' threats to win 2-0 on Tuesday at Westchester in a meeting of nonconference rivals and two of the state's top programs.
Click here for more photos from Tuesday's game.
Zach McLean hit a solo home run in the fourth while Josh Nifong had an RBI single in the fifth to key HPCA (8-0-1), which reached the NCISAA 3A championship series last year. Curtis Dillon also had two hits, including a double.
"Zach got a pitch up in the zone, and he didn't miss it," Cougars coach Corey Gesell said. "He's been doing that - it's his second year here. He gets a pitch, he's patient, and he doesn't miss it. So, that gave us the lead, and Josh Nifong hit that single. That was a good at-bat.
"He's a sophomore lefty facing a tough left-hander, and he hung in there and went the other way. Luke (Gesell) had a good start, threw the ball well, and our defense played really well. And Dylan (Wilkinson) came in the last three innings and shut the door. So, it's really a staff, team effort."
Will Shields went 2 for 3 as the lone multi-hit batter for Westchester (4-2), which has won three straight NCISAA 2A state titles. Luke Gesell (3-0) got the win while Dylan Wilkinson picked up his second save. Troy Polen (1-2) took the loss.
"We threw the ball really well and played clean defense," Wildcats coach Mickey Williard said. "But you've got to score to win. We had some quality at-bats, but we didn't string them together. And you've got to string them together against a guy who can throw the ball.
"Their starter was at times wild. But, when he needed to make a good pitch, he did. More often than not, we watched those go by. And we could've done some damage on those. We talked about having some opportunities we missed. But all you can ask of your starting pitcher is to give you a chance, and he did that."
After both teams went scoreless through three innings, McLean hit a solo home run deep to left-center field with two outs in the top of the fourth to give HPCA, which is ranked No. 2 among 3A private school teams, a 1-0 lead.
Then, in the fifth, Dillon blooped a double into shallow left that barely bounced in front of Westchester's diving outfielder. After an errant pickoff attempt moved him to third, Dillon scored on a one-out single into left by Nifong for a 2-0 lead.
"It was great (to gain the lead)," said McLean, a senior, "because it takes a lot off the pitcher's back. And we felt good, as far as hitting the ball. He threw me a first-pitch fastball for a ball and I guess it was a changeup for a ball. So, I knew I'd get something pretty good. He left a fastball up, and I hit it pretty good."
That was just enough for the Cougars to hold off the Wildcats, ranked No. 1 among 2A private school teams. Westchester did put runners on first and second with two outs in the third and second and third with one out in the fourth.
But Luke Gesell, who scattered four hits and two walks over four innings, escaped without allowing a run. And then Wilkinson gave up one hit over the final three innings. Meanwhile, Polen allowed seven hits and one walk in seven innings.
HPCA plays again Thursday at home against GC Heat, while the Cougars face another challenge Friday at home against Wesleyan Christian, ranked No. 3 among 3A private school teams.
