Oct. 4, 2008
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Senior Evan Ocheltree hit two home runs and drove in three runs to lead the Black team to a 14-6 victory in game one of the Black & Gold World Series on a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Hooks Stadium. The offenses for both teams were strong as the teams combined for 20 runs and 22 hits. Ocheltree was one of many offensive stars for the Black team. He reached base four times in the game, hit two home runs and drove in three runs. Micah Jarrett also drove in three runs in the game for the Black team, while Carlos Lopez and Ryan Bouton each drove in two runs. Ian Tomkins led the way offensively for the Gold team with two RBIs. Steven Brooks, Weldon Woodall and Austin Stadler each drove in one run. Brad Kledzik got the start for the Black team and pitched three strong innings, allowing only one run on one hit. Kledzik struck out three and walked one to pick up the victory. Phil Negus made the start for the Gold team, and allowed eight runs on eight hits in three innings. Ryan McGrath pitched well in relief for the Gold team, allowing one run on one hit in three innings of work. Brandon Johnson closed out the game for the Black team, pitching the final three innings, allowing two runs on two hits. It didn't take long for the Black to get its offense going, scoring four times in the top of the first. After a Tyler Smith single, Ocheltree drove him in with a double to give the Black team a 1-0 advantage. After Negus struck out Michael Murray, Ryan Semeniuk drove in Ocheltree from third with a double to make it 2-0. Lopez cleared the bases with a two-run home run over the left field fence to give the Black team a 4-0 lead after a half of an inning.
The Gold team answered with a run of its own in the bottom of the first. Brooks led off the inning with a double, followed by a walk to Bentley Heyman. Dustin Hood was hit by a pitch to load the bases with nobody out. Kledzik forced Woodall to ground into a 6-4-3 double play that brought in a run to cut the lead to 4-1. The Gold team could not bring another run across as Stadler flew out to center to end the inning. After a scoreless second inning, the Black team added four more runs in the top of the third to increase the lead to 8-1. With one out in the inning, Ocheltree hit the first of his two home runs on the day to increase the lead to 5-1. A Semeniuk double sandwiched around a pair of walks by Murray and Lopez loaded the bases. After Shane Kroker struck out swinging, Bouton singled through the left side, scoring two runs to make the lead 7-1. Trenton Langston walked to load the bases again and Micah Jarrett drew a base on balls to make the lead 8-1. The Black team added on to its lead in the top of the fourth with a run. Ocheltree led off the inning with his second homer of the day to increase the lead to 9-1. The Gold team cut into the lead with three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Hood led off the inning with a single to right. A double by Woodall down the left field line drove in Hood to make the score 8-2. Stadler trimmed the lead to five with a single to right, scoring Woodall. After a strike out by Taylor Kaprive, Tomkins drove in his first run of the day with a single to right center, scoring Stadler for an 9-4 score. The Gold team added two runs in the bottom of the six to cut the lead to 9-6. Stadler opened the inning with a double down the right field line and advanced to third on a wild pitch. A walk to Kaprive set up runners at the corners with no one out for Tomkins. Tomkins sent a pop fly to right down the line that was dropped by Semeniuk, allowing Stadler to score. Semeniuk recovered in time to retire Kaprive at second base for the first out of the inning. Lloyd singled to put runners at first and second with one out. Wadkins looped a fly ball into shallow right center that fell between the right fielder, left fielder and second baseman. Semeniuk picked up the ball in time to throw out Lloyd at second base for the second out of the inning. With two outs and runners at first and third, Brooks singled up the middle to cut the lead to 9-6. Heyman hit a ground ball to short that was misplayed by the shortstop Lopez. Brooks tried to reach third after the error but Lopez was able to throw him out before Wadkins crossed home plate to end the inning. The Black team extended its lead to 14-6 with five runs in the top of the seventh. Semeniuk opened the inning, reaching on an infield single. After stealing second base, Kroker drove in Semeniuk with a single. A bunt single by Bouton put runners on first and third with one out. Bouton advanced to second on defensive indifference. Kroker and Bouton both scored on a single by Jarrett to centerfield to make the score 12-6. Smith doubled down the right field line, scoring Jarrett to extend the lead to 13-6. Smith scored on a balk by Burke for the 14th run of the game for the Black team. The Black & Gold World Series continues on Sunday with game two. First pitch at Hooks Stadium is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. (ET). |
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