South Adams and Bluffton were playing a good, old-fashioned ACAC baseball game Saturday afternoon until the Tigers turned it into a blowout with ten runs in the final two innings to advance to Monday’s championship with a 15-6 victory.
The game entered the sixth inning with a 5-3 score in favor of the visitors, but a six-pitch walk to Eli Garrett pushed Owen Wanner’s pitch count to 123 and the Stars had to make a pitching change. The Tigers scored ten runs on the SA bullpen.
Wanner struck out seven in his final five innings of work as a Starfire, but struggled with control at times, issuing six walks.
Braxton Betancourt was excellent in his run-up to the pitch count limit. He made it into the sixth inning and struck out 14 Starfires, while also issuing six walks.
Both starters gave up just four hits, but Betancourt was only charged with three runs.
Axton Beste got the final five outs while allowing three runs in mop-up duty.
Griffin Morgan homered and drove in three runs for the Tigers.
Leadoff hitter Derek McKean led the Starfires with three hits.
Bluffton did not allow Owen Wanner to beat them with his bat, walking the Starfire starter three times.
The loss finishes the 2024 season for South Adams with a 10-16 record.
About the Author
