🍀 Doubleheader, Game I -- Kinston Wingmen @ Reidsville Luckies 🍀
Kinston stays alive with game one victory over Lucky City
REIDSVILLE, NC — In the first half of a doubleheader, the Reidsville Luckies fell to the Kinston Wingmen, 1-3.
In what was an elimination game for the Kinston Wingmen, they were able to bat last due to this being a doubleheader. Stratton Barwick pitched the full game for the Luckies, who allowed three runs through the first three innings. The Luckies would put two on the board, and it was just a one-run ballgame.
Justyn Steens, who had three wild, Moment of the Game contending catches he described as simply “routine,” kept Reidsville alive in this game with his glove. It seemed that he kept Kinston from scoring an extra twenty-seven runs.
Below is my pregame interview with second baseman Luke Roberts.
In the fourth and fifth inning, the Barwick only had to see six batters, thanks to an amazing robbed home run by Travis Hammond in centerfield. In the top of the fifth, TJ Highsmith had knocked in Gavin Fleming to tie the game up.
Doubleheaders are only seven innings long in the Old North State League, and it was getting down to crunch time. 3-3 ballgame, and the Wingmen’s season was on the line.
The top of the sixth was blank for the Luckies, and the Wingmen tried to take advantage. Unfortunately, they did so. Their first three due-up would all reach home, thanks in part to Chase Pierce, who would also make it home. After six, it was a 7-3 lead for Kinston. Kristian Amaro, Jacob Trivette, and Highsmith would all get out in the seventh, giving Kinston the victory.
Lucky of the Game: Sam Melton — Melton went two for two with a pair of singles and a walk. In a game with just nine hits since it was only seven innings long, Melton was consistent. Every time he stepped into the batter’s box, he made it to first base.
Moment of the Game: Travis Hammond leaps to the center wall and makes the grab to rob Fisher Harrison of a solo shot — With the game tied and Harrison leading things off in the fifth inning, he powered one out to center field. Hammond, who never gives up on a play, hit the pole while making the leaping grab, reeling it in to keep the game even at three.
Travy Paddy becomes the only-ever three-time Moment of the Game winner.
Notes — The Luckies have one more chance to spoil the postseason hopes of the Lenoir County Seat. If Kinston wins this, and the Clayton Clovers lose at least one of their final two games, the Wingmen could fly into the playoffs.
On-Deck — Another one, right now.