Shane Haight recorded a complete game shutout in the first of two outings against Tiffin.
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On March 6, the No. 18 Saint Leo baseball team battled hard against the visiting Tiffin Dragons. Both games ended with the Lions coming out on top by one run in a 1-0 and 6-5 victory. The first game was a pitcher and defensive battle with there being more strikeouts than hits when both teams’ stats were combined. The second game was a high scoring one with both teams racking up hits and runs left and right.
In game one, Saint Leo was able to score the lone run in the bottom of the sixth of the seven-inning game. Junior closer Peyton Isaacson led off the sixth inning with a walk right before junior Brett Coffel had a huge, strategic sacrifice bunt to move Isaacson to second base. Then, the red-hot senior Chase Turner hit a shot up the middle to get Isaacson home and give the Lions their one-run victory. Redshirt junior Shane Haight came in for the top of the seventh to keep the Dragons from tying the game. The first batter hit a single and was also moved over by a sacrifice bunt to get into scoring position. The Dragons had the tying run on second until senior Zach Scott made an excellent play to save the game. The Dragons hit a blooper into right field giving the Dragons’ runner the chance to move to third; Scott picked up the ball in shallow right and threw a laser to home. The throw was beautiful and right on target, getting the runner out with plenty of time. Haight finally got the last out of the game by forcing the batter to ground out.
Some of the highlight players of the game were sophomore Amir Wright, junior Aaron Portee and senior Zach Scott all batting 1-3. However, it was senior Chase Turner earning player of the game by batting in the only run for both teams.
Game two was more entertaining because it was a heated offensive battle. The Dragons looked to have locked it up early as they jumped all over the Lions with three runs in the first two innings. However, the persistent Lions were not shook by this early lead after they battled back to score three runs in the third to tie it at 3-3. Tiffin would not go down easy as they tacked on two more runs in the fifth inning. However, the Lions continued to fight and answer right back with two runs themselves; Isaacson led off with a double to left center. After reaching on a fielder’s choice, Turner ran all the way from first to home because of a triple by Zach Scott, cutting the gap to 5-4. Scott eventually scored himself on a passed ball when he ran home, tying the game at 5-5. Tumbelty came in and worked a 1-2-3 inning in the sixth, allowing the Lions to do damage in the bottom half. Senior Derek Gibree would reach first via a hit by pitch. He was then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and a single. A known terror on the base path, Gibree got the Dragons’ pitcher to walk, allowing him a free ride home. Isaacson moved from first base to the mound to earn the save after retiring the side.
Again, some notable players include Amir Wright going 3-4 with one run scored and an RBI. Aaron Portee going 1-3 with one run scored, and Brett Coffel going 1-2 with an RBI. Finally the player of the game was Derek Gibree for going 2-3 with a hit by pitch and one run score, giving him an incredible .667 batting average.
No. 18 Saint Leo returns to the diamond Saturday, March 10, at 6 p.m. when the Lions host Bridgeport at Thomas B. Southard Stadium.
