Indians Get HBP Walk-Off Win over Leopards

The Stephens County Indians edged the Banks County Leopards 5-4 Monday evening in walk-off fashion.

Trailing 4 to 2 going into the final inning, pinch hitter Konnor Loudermilk was hit by a pitch. Ismael Mathias then singled. Bailey Stowe bounced into a force-out at third, and Dylan White was also hit by a pitch loading the bases. Colby Fowler hit a line drive to left that was caught by leftfielder Cam Cooper which appeared to be a game saving play for the Leopards, but Nick Randall got a base hit which knocked in two runs, tying the game.

Banks County Coach Derek Davis elected to intentionally walk Ben Stowe, which loaded the bases again. Then with one strike, William Roush was hit by a pitch and the game winning run scored.

Banks County led the entire game up until the seventh inning. The Leopards scored two runs in the top of the third on two hits. Banks County scored another run in the top of the fifth inning and an insurance run in the top of the seventh, giving them a 4 to 2 lead.

Nick Randall started for the Indians, going the first four innings, giving up two runs, striking out six and walking five.

Garrett Pless picked up the win in relief, going the final three innings, giving up two runs
and striking out two.

The loss by Banks County overshadowed the performance of senior Blake Holcomb, who didn’t give the Indians a hit until Dylan White’s single in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Holcomb struck out 10 hitters in six innings. Caine Griffith pitched the seventh inning and took the loss. He pitched one third of an inning before Hunter Heath took the mound and faced the final hitters.

Stephens County is now 7-3 on the season while Banks County drops to 4-5.

The next Stephens County game will be Saturday in Homer against Banks County. The game was originally set for Friday but was moved due to impending inclement weather.

Game time is 5 PM in Homer with airtime on WNEG Radio set for 4:45 PM.