Valley Sports ReportWAVERLY — Freshman Griff Walter pitched 4 1/3 strong innings of relief to allow Waverly to rally from an early eight-run deficit in a wild 13-11 win over Chenango Forks here Wednesday afternoon in STAC Central Division baseball action.
The Blue Devils beat Waverly's first two pitchers around for 10 runs in the first three innings, thanks in part to three errors and five unearned runs.
The Wolverines scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI single by sophomore Matthias Welles, and a fielder's choice grounder off the bat of junior Ronin Ault, as well as a Forks error that plated a run to make it 10-5.
Junior Cooper Robinson knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning to trim the deficit to 10-6.
Waverly added another run in the fifth inning on a wild pitch to close the gap to 10-7.
Walter, who pitched three scoreless innings, was touched up for a run in the top of the sixth inning on a triple and squeeze bunt that upped Forks' lead to 11-7.
With one out in the home half of the sixth, Walter ignited the game-winning rally with a single to left field. Moments later, courtesy-runner freshman Sam Cheresnosky scored on an RBI double by senior Lincoln Sharpsteen, who was thrown out at third for the second out of the inning.
Robinson walked to re-ignite the rally, and junior Hogan Shaw reach base on an error. After freshman Jack Pipher walked to load the bases, Welles ripped a two-RBI double to left field to close the gap to 11-10.
A wild pitch plate Pipher with the tying run, and sophomore Ben Shaw followed with a two-run single to right field to give the Wolverines a 13-11 lead.
Walter slammed the door in the seventh, retiring the side in order, including a pair of strikeouts to end the game.
Walter allowed one run on three hits, while striking out three and walking none in 4 1/3 innings to record the win.
Welles doubled and singled, scored two runs, and had three RBI, while Ben Shaw doubled and singled, scored one run, and drove in two runs, and Walter added a pair of singles to pace Waverly's nine-hit attack.
Robinson tripled, scored three runs, and drove in one run for the Wolverines, while Pipher doubled and scored two runs, and Sharpsteen doubled and knocked in one run.
Hogan Shaw scored a pair of runs, and drove in one run in the win, and junior Ronin Ault scored one run, and knocked in one run.
Waverly, now 7-3, looks to complete the sweep of the three-game set at Chenango Forks Friday.
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IN PHOTO 1: Waverly's Griff Walter. ... PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.
