Middleton evens score against Hillsborough

The Tigers use a 10-run second inning to propel themselves to a 15-5 five-inning win.

By EDUARDO A. ENCINA
Published March 12, 2008

TAMPA - It has been nearly a month since Hillsborough pasted Middleton by 13 in the Tigers' second game of the season, but that game lingered in the back of the mind of a hungry Middleton team going into Tuesday's rematch.

"They just flat-out embarrassed us," Middleton pitcher Corey Thomas said.

The Tigers wasted little time getting their revenge at Billy Reed Field, using a 10-run second inning to propel themselves to a 15-5 five-inning win over the Terriers, giving the Tigers their third straight victory.

Middleton (6-4) scored that many runs needing only seven hits. In their second-inning rally, only two hits left the infield, but one was first baseman Andre Gunn's first career grand slam, the freshman's third homer of the season.

But the Tigers scored most of their runs by frustrating the Terriers with bunts and balls that peppered the infield. Four Hillsborough errors didn't help the Terriers as Middleton sent 14 to the plate in the inning. Not included in the error tally was a misplayed ball that dropped in front of the rightfielder and an uncovered first-base bag on a bunt.

"We needed it," Middleton coach Vernon Slater said. "It was a good win for us. We had to play small ball. We saw it, and took advantage of it. We did what we had to do to win. I keep telling our kids, it's the small things that go a long way. ... We did a little of everything."

Every Middleton hitter reached base, and shortstop Derrick Hudgins had three hits and three runs (including two in the Tigers' big second inning). Gunn also scored three times.

"In that first game we were stiff," Thomas said. "Guys were still getting used to each other. Now we're loose. ... This is more along the lines of what we can do. We're used to winning."

Hillsborough (4-8) is on a six-game losing skid and has allowed 10 or more runs in three of its last four games.

Thomas, who started for Middleton, took a one-hitter into the bottom of the fifth, having only allowed a homer to Dylan Esche in the first. But the Terriers put together three straight hits against the righthander to score two runs. Thomas recovered in time to preserve the 10-run lead and five-inning mercy rule.

"We won, but I'm not happy," said Thomas, who finished with eight strikeouts. "Look at the way we won. We won and we didn't hit the ball. Imagine what we can do when we actually crank it up."

Middleton 15, Hillsborough 5

[Last modified March 12, 2008, 00:07:36]