Game Rundown: West Salem used clutch hitting and solid pitching from Johnny Wholestaff to defeat the OSAA 5A's top ranked team, Crescent Valley, on Tuesday. In a game featuring two postseason contenders, the Titans managed to limit their mistakes and take advantage of the Raiders' miscues.
West landed the initial blow of the game in the top of the first when Crosby Albee singled home Kyle Mitsuyasu. In the bottom on the first CV's Taylor Holder hit a missile of the center field wall, but was thrown out at home trying to extend his triple into an inside-the-park home run. The Raiders plated their first run in the bottom of the second to even up the game. The Titans answered right back, scoring three in the top of the third. The big hit came from Braden Allison, when he scored a pair on a two out double to left-center field.
On the mound, West used four pitchers in the non-league affair. Braden Allison started on the mound going two innings, Kyle Kronenberg followed with three innings, then Hector Amador and Lucas Stanfield each pitched one inning to close out the game. West Salem's four pitchers combined to allow only 3 runs on six hits, while striking out eight Raiders.
Players of Note: Crosby Albee (1-3, 1 run, 1 RBI), Kaden Reidhead (1-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI), Braden Allison (1-3, 2 RBI), Kyle Kronenberg (3 IP, 0 ER, 4 K), Lucas Stanfield (1 IP, 0 ER, 0 hits, 2 K)
Inside the Numbers: The Titans and the Raiders had the same amount of hits (6) in the game. CV didn't do themselves any favors, committing 4 errors in the game.
Up Next: West travels to Bend High School on Saturday, April 12th for a doubleheader. The games will begin at noon. The will be the first ever league match-up between the Titans and the Lava Bears. Bend, along with Summit, and Mountain View joined West's league at the beginning of the school year.
Box Score: