WARHAWKS ESCAPE LATE RALLY
With an eight-run lead in the sixth inning, the last thing on Maddux Hailey’s mind was that he’d be called on to close out the game.
But there he was, moving from third base to the mound, trying to get Madison High out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam with five runs already across.
The senior right-hander got out of the jam with a strikeout, then fanned two more in the seventh to preserve an 8-5 Warhawks win over St. Augustine in a game for first place in the Western League at Hickman Field.
“I was down to start Friday’s game (against St. Augustine), but our philosophy is ‘win the game you’re playing,’ ” said Hailey. “So I wasn’t surprised I got the call, although eight runs up, I didn’t think I they’d need me.”
Leading 8-0, the Warhawks (17-7, 6-2) let No. 1-ranked St. Augustine back in the game by committing four errors in the sixth inning — two on the same batter.
The Saints (15-7-2, 4-3-1) took advantage, scoring five runs in the inning before Hailey got out of the bases-loaded jam.
“I felt good,” Hailey said. “When it comes down to it, I want the game in my hands. Friday’s a big game, too. But it was big to win this one.”
Madison leads St. Augustine by 1½ games with four to play, including Friday’s showdown at Madison.
After that, Madison has three games remaining with Point Loma, while St. Augustine has three left with archrival Cathedral Catholic.
The Saints, who made a good showing in the prestigious Boras Classic, hadn’t played for 10 days.
Madison starter Lawson Minshew, who improved to 6-0, was cruising before the defense fell apart.
From the second inning to the first batter in the sixth he had retired 11 Saints hitters in a row.
Then the Saints went error, error, double, error, single, single, single, single, error, walk, walk before Hailey rescued the defense.
“The last thing we wanted was to use Hailey, but the situation called for it,” said Madison coach Robert Lovato. “We needed to win this game before worrying about Friday.
“Other than that one inning, it was a really good team win. We hit the ball, took advantage of some situations and scored some runs.”
Zyan Watson got the Warhawks off to a flying start with a three-run, first-inning homer.
Center fielder Jake Jackson had a single, double and two RBIs. Gavin Lass and Hailey each had two hits and scored twice.
And Minshew added a solo homer. All the runs against him were unearned.
“We battled, that’s for sure,” said Saints coach Craig da Luz. “But you can’t spot a good team five early runs and expect a good outcome.
“We want to put the ball in play, put the pressure on the defense, force mistakes. We did that, it was just a little too late.
“Now we’ll have to try and get ’em Friday.”