WAYNESBORO – Tank Benedict rapped a two-run triple in the bottom of the second, and Kellan Smith scored on a ground out by Brett Powell in the sixth inning to give the Waynesboro Indians a three-run cushion as the Tribe went on to defeat Big Spring, 4-1 in a Mid-Penn Colonial Division varsity baseball game.
It was Waynesboro’s second win in two league games, the other coming in an 8-6 victory over Boiling Springs on Tuesday.
It’s hard to call the Indians’ fourth run as an insurance run, but in light of the top of the sixth inning, it was a relief when Smith, who doubled and advanced to third base on an error before Powell’s grounder to first base, crossed the plate with one out in the books.
“It was a much-needed insurance run and momentum,” said Waynesboro coach Travis Hardman. “Blake Daywalt did a great job coming on in relief. He struck out the next two batters. That was a key moment in the game.”
Daywalt replaced starting pitcher John Kahl, who retired the side in the first, fourth and fifth innings before hitting a roadblock in the top of the sixth inning. After retiring the lead-off hitter in the sixth, Kahl gave up a single, fielder’s choice and another single that loaded the bases. In came Daywalt, who fanned the following two batters to end the threat.
“This is (Kahl’s) second quality start,” Hardman said. “He pitched well against New Oxford. I’m very happy with him, especially being a sophomore. He has a great arm.
Waynesboro then plated its fourth run, the first since the bottom of the second inning.
Tyler Caron led off the second inning with a base hit. Courtesy runner Gunner Shifflett came around to score on a one-out ground out by Mason Gochenour that gave the Tribe (2-2) a 1-0 lead. Benedict then delivered his two-run triple for a 3-0 lead that scored Smith (walk) and Powell (single).
Big Spring cut into the lead with a run in the top of the third inning but couldn’t punch across another run despite the bases-loaded sixth inning. The Bulldogs got one runner aboard in the seventh, but it came with two outs and Daywalt induced a relatively harmless ground out to second baseman Gochenour, who flipped to first baseman Ethan Hotchkiss for the final out of the game.
“Tank Benedict had the big hit with two outs with the triple. That was a big blow; I was happy for him because last game he had some tough luck. He had a couple good swings, good hits to the outfield that they made good catches on him. He’s a great kid; I know the team loves him. He always keeps the morale upbeat and positive.”
Waynesboro returns to the diamond on Monday with a home game against Northern in another league game.
