March 31, 2009
Ladner one-hits Long Beach in 3-1 win
by Carey Meitzler
Long Beach--Bryce Ladner worked out of an early bases-loaded jam and went on to record a 3-1 win in 8 innings over the Long
Beach Bearcats in a battle of unbeaten Region 8-4A teams at Mike Rutledge Stadium.
Picayune got a run in the second off Long Beach's Michael Paul. With one out, Hunter Gill singled to left and moved to second
on Ladner's sacrifice bunt. Evan Nichelson, who has been coming through in the clutch for the Maroon Tide time after time,
delivered once again with a single between short and third to drive in Gill for a 1-0 lead.
All photos by Jill Lee
Hunter Gill slides in safely to for a 1-0 lead as Long Beach's Josh McGoey gets ready to take the throw from left field.
Ladner gave up a single to Josh McGoey to start the bottom of the third, the only hit he allowed in the game. McGoey, the
catcher, gave way to courtesy runner Justin McMahan. A hit batsman and a walk loaded the bases with no outs and brought up the
top of the order for Long Beach in leadoff hitter Cameron Powell. Long Beach attempted a squeeze play on the first pitch and
Powell was unable to bunt the pitch that was high out of the strike zone. McMahan was caught in a run-down was retired as
third baseman Brandon Jurich and catcher Jared Bales made two throws and McMahan was tagged out by Bales for the first out.
Powell would walk to load the bases again. Ladner struck out B.K. Hammons for the second out, but Michael Paul walked to
bring in the tying run.
Picayune had runners in scoring position in the fifth and sixth innings, but Paul was able to keep the Maroon Tide from scoring.
With runners at second and third in the top of the sixth, Bearcat right fielder B.K. Hammons made a great diving catch as dove
just feet from the right field line to snag a line drive off the bat of Hunter Gill that would have scored at least one and possibly
two runs for Picayune.
In the top of the eighth, Brett Milner walked to give the Tide a good start. Milner moved to second base when a pick off throw
by McGoey sailed into right field. After a strikeout, Jake Riser singled just over the outstretched hands of the second baseman
Powell to put runners at the corners. Jared Bales drilled a double to deep right center that hit the bottom of the fence that
scored Milner and moved Riser to third. Paul was lifted for reliever Timmy Maloney who struck out Jurich for the second out.
Hunter Gill singled down the right field line scoring Riser for a 3-1 lead.
All photos by Jill Lee
Jared Bales drives a double to right center gap with Brent Milner on third base in the 8th.
Ladner got a strike out to start the inning and then walked Powell. Hammons hit into a fielders' choice to Gill at short
who threw to Riser to force out Powell at second. Paul flew out to center field to end the game.
Ladner allowed just one hit, recorded 8 strike outs, walked five, and hit two batters. Once again, the Maroon Tide did
not commit any fielding errors. Offensively, Bales and Gill had two hits apiece for half of Picayune's team total 8 hits.
Picayune (13-1, 9-0) will host Long Beach (12-5, 8-1) on Friday.
All photos by Jill Lee
Eric Smith looks toward the dugout to get a sign from Coach Cayne Stockstill
Hunter Gill, who had two hits, gets ready just before his RBI single that drove in
Ricky Rimkus, who was running for Jared Bales at third base.
Bryce Ladner "eagles" just before delivering a pitch in the 8th inning as Garrett Williams (left field) and Hunter Gill (short) get ready.
Evan Nichelson gets ready at first base as Bearcat courtesy Justin McMahan bounces off the bag at first base in the third inning.
Brandon Jurich (third base) and Jake Riser (second base) peer in to home plate at Long Beach.