Spartans rally late to take down the Trojans in thriller

The Connersville Spartans (13-10) took to the road on Friday to take on the New Castle Trojans (5-14) in a non-conference match up. The Spartans got behind early, then tied the game up only to see the Trojans go up late again, but a big four run seventh inning got the Spartans over the hump for the win 7 to 4.

In the top of the first inning, Spartan leadoff man Parker Flanigan reached on a walk, stole second base, advanced to third on a single by Jay McMullen and scored on a groundout by Brody Shearer to give the Spartans a 1 to 0 lead.

The lead did not hold up as the Trojans would take advantage of two batters being hit by a pitch, a walk and a single to put up three runs.

Moving to the fourth inning, the game still 3 to 1 in favor of New Castle, the Spartans Brody Shearer singled to start the inning. Brayden Keller followed him with a double that scored Shearer on the play. After a Noah Patterson single that moved Keller to third, Keller would take advantage of a passed ball to tie the game at three.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, a walk to New Castle’s Gavin White would eventually lead to him scoring from third base on a passed ball to give the Trojans a 4-3 lead heading to the seventh inning.

The Spartans got a single from Noah Patterson to start the inning. Evan Miller would succeed in advancing Patterson to scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Patterson would steal third and L.J. Ellis would draw a walk to put the go ahead run on first and the tying run on third. One out later, Parker Flanigan would double scoring Patterson and sending Ellis to third with two outs in a tie game. Both Jay McMullen and Brody Shearer would pick up RBI singles putting the Spartans up 6 to 4; McMullen would also score on a passed ball before the inning ended. The Trojans did not mount a comeback in the bottom of the inning, giving the Spartans a 7 to 4 victory.

McMullen was awarded the win, the right hander came on in relief in the fourth, allowing one unearned run on one hit, striking out four over four innings of work. Noah Patterson collected three hits in the game to lead the Spartan offense. Brody Shearer, Brayden Keller and Jay McMullen all collected an RBI in the game.

Connersville Varsity Spartans play at home on Monday against Greensburg in their next game. Greensburg will enter the game in a tie with East Central for first place in the EIAC; Spartans will try to play the role of spoiler as they look to continue a three game winning streak through the remainder of the regular season.