Errant pickoff attempt gives Chargers walk-off win
Published 10:59 am Saturday, May 7, 2016
ISLE OF WIGHT
Trailing by three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, Isle of Wight rallied to beat Alliance Christian, 5-4, on Monday afternoon.
Falcons pitcher Jonathan Nagle scattered seven hits over six innings of work, allowing only one run to the vaunted Chargers offense. He was pulled in favor of reliever Alex Williams, however, who needed only three outs to earn his fourth save of the year.
After striking out the first batter, Williams walked Isle of Wight shortstop Jacob Mintz and gave up a single to second baseman Austin Elledge to put runners on first and second. Williams struck out another batter, but an uncaught third strike loaded the bases. A hit batter and two walks tied the game before Williams’ pickoff attempt to end the game got away from the first baseman, allowing the winning run to cross the plate.
Elledge, Isle of Wight’s starting pitcher, led the way for the Chargers with three hits. First baseman Alec Wonders, third baseman Ryan Boyce and relief pitcher Rylee Williams each recorded an RBI for their walk-drawing acumen in the seventh inning. Williams also earned the win on the mound, allowing only one run and four hits in four innings of work.
Alliance Christian’s Williams took the loss, while Nagle did not figure in the decision.
With the win, Isle of Wight improved its record to 13-5, 6-2 in the Metro Conference. The Chargers are expected to be the top-ranked team in this week’s Virginia Independent School Athletic Association’s Division III baseball poll. The Falcons, meanwhile, fell to 9-10, 1-6 in the conference.