Athens outlasts Alexander in a close contest to continue wild win-streak

THE PLAINS — Sometimes it’s actually beneficial to have to sweat a little bit.

In the midst of a 12-game win streak, Athens baseball has done little-to-nothing wrong. More often than not putting double-digits on the scoreboard, the Bulldogs have been absolutely bashing through the competition en route to easy win after easy win. While there’s absolutely nothing to complain about with how Athens has run rampant through its schedule, there has been something missing during the streak.

Throughout, the closest contest that the Bulldogs have been through is a four-run victory. The team has beaten everyone down so much and so often that the team almost hasn’t had to go through a stressful situation all season. Of course, knowing what’s down the road in about a month, the Bulldogs know that going through a battle or two would actually be beneficial once the postseason comes.

Well, Athens got that battle on Tuesday and once again passed with flying colors.

Going up against a rival at home, Athens got a taste of adversity and pushed through with a 3-1 victory over Alexander to stay perfect in divisional play and extend the win streak to 13. While it’s not the dominant showing we’ve become accustomed to seeing from the Bulldogs, their head coach is more than pleased with the performance.

“Justin has been having some arm issues off and on this season. He told us at the start of the game his arm was tired and hurting some. So after the second we felt like it was time to get him out,” Todd Nuzum, the head coach of Athens said when asked about the pitching change early. “Lots of baseball left and need to get Justin healthy. Hoyt is a big competitor and we have all the confidence in the world he could finish it out.”

Athens would pick up seven hits on the night despite being able to plate just the three runs. Sam Trainer would lead the way with a 2-3 day at the plate, scoring a run in the process. Justin Bennett, Landon Baker, Easton Nuzum, Dawson Kennedy and Hoyt Munro would each grab one hit apiece. Noah Sincoff and David Sharp would drive in two and one run respectively.

On the mound, Bennett got the nod to start and lasted just two innings, allowing three hits and one unearned run, striking out three while walking one. The righty wasn’t seemingly in too much trouble before Nuzum made the decision to take him out of the game.

With the decision working out, Munro would toss the final five innings, allowing two hits and no runs while striking out six and walking three.

For the Spartans, Sam Ohms would be the only batter to record a multi-hit performance. Trent Schaad, Jordan Schulz and Jared Truax would also record a hit.

Truax would get the start on the mound and last four innings, allowing six hits and three runs, striking out four while allowing two walks. Jackson Jordan would then come in relief and finish with two scoreless frames.

A team that has played so sound and fundamentally strong throughout the season, Athens had a bit of a hiccup to start the night. After Mason Morris worked his way to third base after a walk and a pair of steals, Schulz would pop up a two-out pitch directly to the pitcher’s mound but Sincoff would drop the ball, allowing Morris to come home with the first run of the night.

Alexander would get a couple more runners on base in the second inning but couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity. The Bulldogs would finally tie things up in the bottom of the frame in interesting fashion. With the bases loaded and two outs, Sincoff would barely fight off a ball and slowly bounce it back to the mound. Fighting against a runner coming home, Truax would try to rush a throw home but it would go high, forcing Camron Oberholzer to jump as Brady Wharton came in to make it a 1-1 game.

Athens would then break through in the bottom of the third with a fielder’s choice groundout off the bat of Sharp allowing Baker to score with what would become the game-winning run.

Munro would then send the Spartans down in order in the fourth before Athens added on to the lead. After starting off the bottom of the frame with a leadoff single, Trainer would eventually work his way over to third base with less than two outs. Sincoff would then drill a sacrifice fly out to center, scoring the senior to give the Bulldogs a much-needed insurance run.

Munro would then lock in, retiring nine of the final 11 batters he faced to secure the rivalry victory for Athens and keep the torrent winning-streak intact.

“Playing in these types of games are very important. This a crazy game.,” Nuzum pointed out. “Some days things don’t always go your way, but you have to find a way to battle. Winning these games while not at our best, shows character and ability to do whatever it takes.”