Rams Finally Slide by Hornets in 11th
NORTH ADAMS, Mass — A pitchers' duel between McCann Tech's Mike Chappell and Granby's Zac Funk couldn't be decided in regulation, so fans at Joe Wolfe Field were treated to a little extra high school baseball on Wednesday afternoon.It took four extra innings until the Rams' Matt Menard came through with a two-out, two-run single to lift visiting Granby to a 5-3 win in 11 innings. The Rams' victory ruined a spectacular start by Chappell, who struck out 14 batters and allowed three unearned runs and two walks in 7 and one-third innings. Funk was just as impressive, striking out five with one walk in nine innings of work.
Funk would have been the winner of the game had it not been for senior Steven Barbeau's two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth that tied the contest and sent it into extra innings. Instead, Max Humphrey got the decision, pitching two scoreless frames to close out the win and help Granby improve to 5-3.
"It was a tough loss, but it was a fun game to coach, play and watch," Hornets head coach Pat Ryan said. "It was a nailbiter right to the end. Our pitchers threw very strong, combining for 18 strikeouts and six walks in 11 innings."
Freshman Sean Davis was solid in relief for McCann (2-4), allowing just one earned run in just under four innings of work. He struck out four but walked five batters, two of which set the table for Menard's game-winning hit in the 11th. The Rams took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second and held that advantage until the hosts pushed one run across in the bottom of the fifth. The visitors got a run back in the top of the sixth to lead 3-1, but Barbeau would tie things up in the bottom half of the frame.
Chappell also went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI at the plate, while junior TJ Therrien batted 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored.
The Hornets next play at Commerce at 1 p.m. on Friday.