Payette honors Killebrew with come-from-behind win
By Scott Ford
Argus Observer
Sunday, April 19, 2009 12:56 AM PDT
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| Scott Ford | Argus Observer
Payette’s Spencer Pollock gives K.J. Morris a fist pump after he nailed the game-winning two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning against the New Plymouth Pilgrims during the Harmon Killebrew baseball game. Payette won 9-8. |
Payette-The Payette Pirates did not want to disappoint their guest of honor, Harmon Killebrew, Saturday when they took the field against the New Plymouth Pilgrims. Thanks to the heroics of freshman Spencer Pollock, who hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to right-center field to give the Pirates their first lead of the game at 9-8. Payette shut down New Plymouth in the seventh to get the come-from-behind victory.
In the early innings, it seemed the disappointment was going to happen as New Plymouth posted five runs in the second, then added three more in the top of the fourth for the 8-0 lead.
Finally, in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Pirates got to Pilgrim starting pitcher Brady Harris, as they tagged four of his offerings for hits, with one single and three doubles to get on the scoreboard with four runs.
Payette’s starter, Cody Peterson struggled through his first four innings of work, but the offensive surge by his mates gave him new life as he retired the side in the top of the fifth with a flyout and two strikeouts.
The Pirates added three more runs in the home half of the fifth to cut the Pilgrims lead to one run, at 8-7.
Again, Peterson came up big in the top of the sixth inning, as he did not allow any runs, and kept the hopes of a comeback alive for Payette.
Then the Killebrew karma kicked in.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Travis Blackwell led off with single to right for the Pirates. Then came Spencer Pollock to the plate and he drilled the first pitch he saw over right-centerfield fence to give the Pirates the 9-8 lead and the eventual win.
Payette head coach Tracy Bratcher lifted Peterson to start the seventh inning for Brad Huddleston, and he closed the game out giving up a walk, and a single.
“He (Spencer) was due and he hit the ball hard,” Bratcher said. “I told the guys after the game to come back from an 8-0 deficit it shows a lot of character on their part. I am real happy with the team. It would have been real easy for them to pack it in, but they battled to the end.”
For New Plymouth, it was their fourth game in the past two days. The Pilgrims traveled to Nampa Christian on Friday, then hit the interstate to Glenns Ferry Saturday Morning for two games in a wood bat tournament, before wrapping up their day against Payette.
Pilgrim head coach Darin Gray said he committed to the Glenns Ferry tournament before he was asked to compete in the Harmon Killebrew game.
“It’s been a crazy past two days,” Gray said. “We are excited to be here playing in this game.”
New Plymouth will not get much rest as they host Vale at 5 p.m. Monday.
