Ferris, Thunder Walk Off with State Quater-Final Win

PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- Eddie Ferris hit a one-out single in the bottom of the seventh to drive in the winning run as the Taconic baseball team Sunday beat Ashland, 2-1, in the Division 3 State Quarter-Finals.

 

Antonio Scalise started the winning rally with a one-out double to center field.

 

Ferris then stepped to the plate and delivered his second hit of the low-scoring game -- this time, a game-winner.

 

Evan Blake and Ashland's Chris Bratica engaged in a classic pitcher's duel, with neither allowing a run until the sixth inning.

 

In the top of the sixth, Ashland's Connor Cowern led off with a single and moved up on Devin O'Brien's sacrifice bunt.

 

With two out, Grant Reap ripped a single to center field to drive in Cowern and give Ashland a 1-0 lead.

 

Blake got the final out on a fly ball to center to strand a runner.

 

In the bottom of the inning, Gavin O'Donnell and Matt Lee started the inning by drawing walks.

 

Bratica picked off O'Donnell at second, but Christian Salzarulo singled to left to move Lee into scoring position.

 

Blake then helped his cause by doubling home Lee to tie the game.

 

On the mound, Blake struck out nine, walked three and allowed just two hits.

 

Ferris was the only member of the Thunder with multiple hits, going 2-for-3.

 

Top-seeded Taconic (20-3) advances to the state semi-finals to meet No. 4 Oakmont (21-2), a 3-2 winner of Tantasqua on Sunday.