Pinch runner Michael Riley scored the winning run in the second extra inning Friday as the Logan County Cougars edged visiting Muhlenberg County 4-3 in nine innings.
Thomas Miller, who was expected to be the staff pitching ace, has been unavailable for action most of the season. In fact, he only had five plate appearances going into this game and was hitless on the season. He responded with the start by getting two hits, including the last one for Coach Ethan Meguiar’s team. Riley scored on the throw, ending the game.
The Cougars scored a run in each of the first three innings. Gage Hales, who finished with three hits, and Caleb Bruner started the first inning with singles. Hales stole second, went to third on Bruner’s hit, and scored on the throw. In the second, Ryan Basham and Miller got back-to-back hits with Basham scoring on Hales’ second straight hit.
Dustin Cartas led off the third with a double, advanced on Matt Harper’s single, and scored on a fielder’s choice.
Blake Gettings, who came into the game with a 3-0 record but hadn’t pitched for several weeks, appeared to be on his way to a fourth win. He worked five innings, giving up four hits and one unearned run. He struck out four and walked just one and was leading 3-1 when he was pulled for reliever Harper.
Harper retired the first four batters he faced, but Will Broady singled in the seventh and Kyle Moore hit a two-run homer to send the game into extra innings. The visitors threatened in the eighth when Kyle Tucker led off with a single, but Harper got out of it.
In the ninth, Ian Woodall led off with a single and Cody Hunt followed with another. After Miller reached, Riley scored as a pinch runner. Harper became the winning pitcher.
The win was the 19th in 26 games for the Cougars, who play an important district game at Franklin-Simpson Tuesday. Muhlenberg County’s record fell to 15-12 under Coach Brad Rogles.
This Cougar team is led by a strong group of seniors. Recognized on Senior Night were Arik Haynes, Basham, Cartas, Gettings, Hales, Hunt and Miller.