By: by Mark Toma
KENNESAW, Ga. – Peyton Hart hit a grand slam home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Black Team a 4-3 lead in the Black & Gold World Series, but it was a walk-off home run by Jordan Craft in the bottom of the seventh inning that led the Black Team to victory and forced a deciding game three in the on Friday morning.
The Gold Team was looking for a sweep of the best-of-three series and were well on their way as they took a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning before Hart took Gold Team reliever Devin Dunson downtown for a one-run lead.
Bucky Smith tied the game in the top of the seventh inning with his second hit of the game, an RBI single off Jordan Dean. The rally started with a walk to Ronnie Freeman who advanced on a slow groundout before Clint Roques singled and stole second forcing the Black Team to intentionally walk Ross Tendler, setting up Smith’s game-tying hit.
Dunson (0-1) was able to get the Gold Team one out in the bottom of the seventh inning before Craft evened the series with the dramatic, walk-off home run.
J.B. Johnson started for the Gold Team and allowed two hits in four innings with five strikeouts while Ryan Rodebaugh started for the Black Team and allowed a run on four hits with four strikeouts over four innings.
The third and final game of the series is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 23 at 11:00 a.m. at Stillwell Stadium. The game officially concludes the fall season for the Owls who will open up the regular season at home on Friday, Feb 19 against Liberty at 4:00 p.m.
Black & Gold World Series
Game 2 | Stillwell Stadium
| Teams |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
R |
H |
E |
| Gold Team |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
9 |
1 |
| Black Team |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
4 |
1 |
WP-Dean LP-Dunson HR-Hart (1), Craft (1)
