All-around effort
Blake Vasser’s big night propels Pepperell past Armuchee in a 7-AA victory.
Pepperell pitcher Blake Vasser was simply trying to make a play for his team with every atbat or trip to the mound Friday.
In the end, each of those plays added up to one of the best games of his career and a big Region 7-AA win for the Dragons.
Pepperell scored three runs in the first inning and Vasser hit a grand slam in the fifth as the Dragons beat Armuchee 9-2 in Lindale. It is Pepperell’s fifth straight win and fifth straight game with more than five runs scored.
Most of Friday’s offense was powered by Vasser, who had a hand in seven different runs while guiding the Dragons on the mound.
“I really was not trying to focus on anything in particular today,” Vasser said. “I just went out there and did whatever I could to get the dub.”
The junior reached base four times and had six RBIs while throwing six innings and allowing only two earned runs. Trevor Thomas went 3 for 4 for the Dragons with a run scored and an RBI, then pitched the last three outs to seal Pepperell’s win.
Armuchee (4-6, 4-1 7-AA) was not as successful offensively but did get two hits each from Hunter Clark and Brett Barker. Barker pitched the first four innings, allowing four earned runs but keeping the Indians in the game.
The Dragons (6-10, 5-1) were only up by two when Barker left the game, but they quickly loaded the bases up for Vasser. After taking a few pitches, he sent one beyond the left field wall and effectively clinched the win.
“My first thought with the bases loaded was to just get a fly ball, get it in the air to get a run and do what I could,” Vasser said. “After I hit it, I don’t know, it just kept going.”
Pepperell was able to record two more runs in its last three innings beyond Vassar’s grand slam. A leadoff double in the fourth ultimately led to a run on a wild pitch, while a single by Thomas scored Mason Fincher in the fifth to make it 9-2.
Dragons coach Matt Montgomery said one key to the offensive success has been the conversations players have after their first at-bat against the pitcher.
That paired with consistent pitching has put the
team on its current run.
“I feel like we are starting to really catch our stride right now,” Montgomery said. “We needed some breaks today, but we also had plenty of confidence, and we have been playing with confidence.”
Armuchee scored two early runs, with an RBI single from Brantson Duck in the first and an RBI double from Gauge Burkett in the second.
But the Indians could never get the big two-out hit after that.
“It was two decent teams, one came ready to play and I don’t think we were as ready as them,” Armuchee coach Andy Henderson said.
Pepperell got started with a pair of hits from Thomas and Parker Covington in the first inning.
After Wesley Wade reached base and scored a run on an error, Vasser brought two more in with a base hit.
Pepperell plays again Monday when it travels to Centre, Alabama, to take on Cherokee while Armuchee hosts Rockmart on Tuesday.