August 16, 2008

Southwest Wins Thriller in the Bottom of the Seventh
Comes from behind twice to clinch first win

Box score

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. – Marcus Wilson scored the game-winning run for the Southwest Region (Bryant, Ark.) in the bottom of the seventh inning to push his team past Western New York (North Syracuse, N.Y.) with a score of 9-8 in a National Division pool play contest at Diethrick Park in Jamestown on Saturday evening.

The teams were tied 8-8 entering the bottom of the seventh inning when Wilson lead off with a single, his third hit of the day. Wilson advanced on a bunt by Daniel Richards and then eventually scored on an error.

It wasn’t the first comeback of the game for Southwest. They were trailing to the Western New York club 7-2 in the fifth inning when the Arkansas squad mounted its rally. The team sent seven straight hitters to the plate and received some clutch infield singles with the bases loaded to post six runs in the frame and take a 8-6 lead.

Nick Pilotti of Western New York helped his team tie it up in the top of the seventh by drawing a walk. He then stole second and the caused some havoc on the base paths by drawing an errant throw by the catcher which sailed into the outfield. Pilotti then made his way into third by another throw was off target and he crossed the plate to tie the game at 8-8.

Wilson finished 3-for-3 with two RBI and three runs scored to pace his offense. Daniel Hayden also went 3-for-3 for the Southwest team.

Pilotti reached base four times, going 2-for-2 and drawing two walks. One of his hits was a towering home run shot to left field to lead off the second inning.

The Western New York State Champions will next play Ohio Valley at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

The Southwest team will next play the Pacific Northwest team on Sunday at noon.  

The Ron Tellefsen Player’s of the Game were Wilson and Pilotti.