Clutch plays at the plate, on the base pads and in the field during the seventh inning allowed Circleville to return home on Friday with a 5-4 non-league win over host Zane Trace.
With the two teams tied at 3-3 headed into the final frame, Trent Smith led off with a single to center and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt courtesy of Matt Bradley. Scott Moats then reached on a bunt single to put runners on the corners.
After Moats swiped second base, Nolan West reached on a fielder’s choice ground out to shortstop that scored Trent Smith and allowed Moats to advance to third.
Logan Smith then reached on another fielder’s choice that took West off the base pads.
A delayed double steal allowed Moats to swipe home and put the Tigers ahead 5-3.
The Pioneers scored once in their half of the inning and had the tying run on second with one out. Angelo Travis caught a fly out to left off the bat of Coen Larson and then threw out Gunnar McCullough trying to take third to end the game.
Moats went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, West was 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored and Trent Smith was 2-for-3 and scored.
Ty Foster allowed two hits and two runs (one earned) over three innings of relief to earn the win for the Tigers (4-3), who resume Mid-State League Buckeye Division play on Monday when they host Amanda-Clearcreek.
