Wildcats play long ball
- Updated: March 25, 2018
White Plains hits 7 homers in twinbill, Spivey hits 3 in one game; Oxford, PV win close games, Saks wins in rout
By East Alabama Sports Today
MUNFORD – The White Plains baseball team found its stroke and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
On the day they were leaving for their spring break trip to Gulf Shores, the Wildcats were living by and loving the long ball. Jake Spivey blasted three two-run homers and had seven RBIs in a 15-0 five-inning rout of Lincoln that earned them a sweep of the day. The Wildcats outslugged Munford in their first game, 15-10.
White Plains hit seven home runs in the two games. In addition to Spivey’s three in the nightcap, Charlie Huey hit two against Munford and Matthew Clay hit one in each game. The breakout came just two days after they suffered a 1-0, nine-inning loss.
“The wind was blowing out and the ball was flying today; it was crazy,” Spivey said. “Everyone was like ‘Holy crap, I can’t believe we hit that many home runs in a baseball game.’”
When Spivey hits home runs, they’ll come in bunches. He hit two in the Wildcats’ area opener against Hokes Bluff. Against the Golden Bears he hit a two-run homer in the first, a two-run homer in the third and a two-run homer in the fourth.
He now has six homers this season, matching the number he hit all last season.
“He’s a guy who everyone knows can hit it out,” White Plains coach Wes Henderson said. “He’s been pitched very tough this year but recently has done a fantastic job of making solid contact with the pitches he is getting in his zone.”
Intrestingly, the power surge came after Spivey went 0-for-3 against Munford.
“The first game I just couldn’t find it,” Spvey said. “I went 0-for-3. In the second game I was trying to clear my head and start anew. Once I hit that first one … the rest of the game sort of took care of itself.
“I guess when I do good my first at-bat of the game, I end up hitting the ball good the rest of the game. I used to get frustrated, but over the last couple years I’ve just sort of learned to shake it off – it’s a new at-bat, a new day, a fresh start.”
The first three hitters in the lineup – Andrew Cronan, Spivey and Andrew Norred – were a combined 9-for-13 with nine RBIs. Noah Elder and Spivey combined on a two-hit shutout.
The Wildcats erupted for 10 runs in the sixth and seventh innings to win the opener. Huey’s two homers netted five RBIs – a two-run homer in the second and a three-run shot in the third. Clay’s three-run homer in the sixth was among his three hits. Andrew Cronan had three hits from the leadoff spot. Marshall Clark went 3-for-3 and Austin Harry had three RBIs for Munford.
“We had a better approach at the plate,” Henderson said. “We swung at pitches in our zone and fought back after being down early.”
Pleasant Valley 7, Clay Central 6: Caden Turner’s double with one out in the seventh gave the Raiders the walk-off victory. PV rallied from a 6-1 deficit and tied the game with three two-out runs in the fourth. Turner, Drew Bonds and Brody Phillips each had two hits apiece in the middle of PV’s lineup.
Oxford 4, Cullman 3: County Tournament MVP Caden Higgins went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and helped the Yellow Jackets open a 4-0 lead before holding on. Cullman threatened with three in the sixth, but Brody Syer struck out the side in the seventh to preserve the victory.
Saks 15, Southeastern 1: Jaylen Childs hit doubles in each of his first three at-bats and drove in a pair of runs, while winning pitcher Harley Burgess and Cody Hopkins each drove in three runs for the Wildcats.
Westbrook Christian 12, Piedmont 2: Cullen Stafford and Samuel Dutton each drove in three runs and combined to hold the Bulldogs to five hits.
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