SOSA Staff Report
PORTSMOUTH — After a win Thursday night, Waverly Post 142 can check a big goal off its to-do list.
The Shockers (15-6) handed Portsmouth 23 a 6-4 loss in eight innings on the road, claiming their second consecutive SCOL championship … meaning they’ll receive the top seed in the Region V tournament.
“This was a big win for us. To win our regular season is always a goal of ours,” 142 coach Jonathan Teeters said. “We’re excited to earn the one seed and see where this takes us.”
Thursday’s win was nothing but easy.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
After grabbing a 4-0 lead in the top of the second inning, 142 allowed Portsmouth (7-13) to tie the game in the fourth. The Shockers then waited until the top of the eighth to send the winning run across the plate.
In the second, Brayden Snodgrass knocked in Tanner Cunningham with an RBI double, giving 142 a 1-0 lead. Tucker Tackett then laced a two-out, two-run triple down the line, making it 3-0. Waverly’s final run of the inning came on an RBI single off the bat of Derek Eblin.
Portsmouth scored its runs on an RBI single from Seth Nichols, a wild pitch, and a two-run single via Bryce Ponn that scored Nichols and Darius Jordan.
In the eighth, Tackett came through for the Shockers once again with a two-run, game-winning double that scored Ian Gillen and Weston Roop.
Tackett finished 2-for-5 at the dish with a double, a triple and four RBIs while Snodgrass and Eblin each added a base hit and an RBI.
Bailey Rowe led Portsmouth’s offense, finishing 2-for-3 while Jordan finished 2-for-4 with a run. Reece Whitley was 2-for-4, Nichols was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run, and Ponn was 1-for-4 with two RBIs.
On the hill, Eblin got the win in 4 1/3 innings of relief, surrendering four hits and striking out three. Cunningham started the game for the Shockers, tossing 3 2/3 innings and allowing four earned runs on six hits.
“Tanner and Derek threw well enough to give us an opportunity to achieve victory,” Teeters said. “Tucker had a day at the plate. The Tackett household has a lot to be proud of this evening.”
Waverly 142 will be back to action Saturday, hosting Lancaster 11, as Portsmouth 23 tries to get back in the win column on Sunday against Hillsboro 129.