Vincent’s huge offensive day leads Phoenix to 6-AAA win
In what amounted to nothing less than an offensive explosion, the Sonoraville Phoenix pieced it all together in the batter’s box and celebrated Senior Night in style with a 13-8 victory over the North Murray Mountaineers on Thursday.
Even though a variety of Sonoraville (11-13, 6-11) batters played a key role in victimizing North Murray’s (19-8, 13-5) pitching and racking up 13 hits, it was a powerful effort from infielder Matthew Vincent that inflicted most of the damage.
Vincent slugged two separate three-run home runs. The first was a towering shot that coasted over the right field fence in the second inning and the second was a no-doubt line drive that exited right field immediately after the crack of the bat in the third inning. He finished the evening 3-for-4 with eight RBIs.
“I was so proud of Matthew, and I could tell that he was having fun out there,” Sonoraville head coach Bret Greene said. “He had such a great round of batting practice yesterday, and he was able to carry that over.”
Lead-off hitter and speedy centerfielder Chase Kirby set an aggressive tone for the Phoenix while keeping steady pressure on the Mountaineers defense as a baserunner. He posted a double, three singles and two stolen bases. Kirby reached base in four consecutive innings.
Catcher Storm Carnes also propelled Sonoraville to an early lead. Carnes finished 4-for-5 with a single and stolen base in the first, a booming two-RBI triple in the second, a sharp single into left in the third and a slicing two-RBI single to cap off the team’s 13-run output in the sixth.
“Tonight they put it all together, and it was phenomenal,” Greene said. “They really showed what they are capable of at the plate. I’m so proud that they were able to perform like this, especially on Senior Night.”
Senior pitcher Grant Clark also got in on the action, drilling an RBI-double in the first. Outfielder Gavin Phillips chipped in a single, stole a base and was hit by two pitches. Senior outfielder Logan Jones joined the festivities with a single and two walks.
“We had some really clutch hitting tonight,” Clark said. “I think we all did a really nice job keeping the bats going the entire game, and that allowed us to keep the lead when North Murray tried to get back in it.”
Backed by the enormous run support, Clark also turned in an effective, gritty performance on the mound for the Phoenix. He didn’t possess his best stuff at times against the Mountaineers, but displayed resiliency while picking up the win against a very stout lineup in his last home appearance.
“I didn’t have everything, but I just tried to give it my all,” Clark said. “I know I can leave it all on the field because I know my teammates have my back, and that was the case tonight.”
His final line included eight earned runs on 12 hits, one walk and six strikeouts over 6 1-3 innings.
“Grant is our workhorse and he was excellent,” Greene said. “If people didn’t know Grant, this was a great example of who he is as a pitcher. He’s going to gut it out, and even though he was a little wild at times tonight, he’s going to stick with what works and pound the zone.”
Tyler Lyles relieved Clark in the seventh and locked the victory down, allowing no runs on no hits and striking out one.
Offensively, the Mountaineers were primarily propped up by a dynamic hitting performance from centerfielder Waylyn James, who contributed four singles and three stolen bases. Catcher Jaden Baggett also was a key contributor, chipping in a single and two RBIs. Pitcher Braedon Bond tacked on a 2-for-3 night at the plate, adding two base hits and an RBI for the Mountaineers.
Bond was tasked with starting pitching duties for North Murray and struck out two batters in the early going, but was chased in the middle of the second inning after quickly allowing five runs.
Ethan Payne took over and toed the rubber for the next 3 innings, giving up six runs and striking out two Phoenix batters. Preston Buck was responsible for the final two innings, collecting two strikeouts and allowing two runs.
“When it comes to Senior Night, you remember every moment,” Greene said. “The way we played tonight provided a lot of good memories for our two seniors. I think they’ll remember this night for a very long time.”