PREP BASEBALL: Indians fall to William Byrd

FORT DEFIANCE — The Indians were knocked out of Region III play Wednesday night by William Byrd Terriers. In a nail-biting seven innings, the Terriers came out on top 7-6.
The Indians took the lead early in the second inning when designated hitter Timmy Miller hit a single into right field, stole second and then, after a walk, was brought across home plate by right fielder Aaron Sheets. Sheets was also brought home by a series of walks.
The Indians led at the bottom of the second 2-0.
The Terriers started their comeback with the first at-bat of the third when designated hitter Evan Ross knocked a double into right field and center fielder Kevin Bowles hit a single. Bowles then stole third and was batted home by the catcher Jon Zimmerman. Center fielder Dylan Hurt and right fielder Ryan Beyel were both brought across the plate by a single smashed into left field by the second baseman Bradley Mattox. Ross also scored a run.
At the top of the third the Terriers were winning 4-2.
Indian pitcher Blake Sipe hit a single in the fourth and was led to second when the pitcher dropped a hit by shortstop Chris Huffman. Both scored when the catcher Daniel ‘Righty’ Wright hit the wall at 345 feet.
The game was tied at 4 at the bottom of the fourth.
In the fifth the Terriers went on a three-run streak to take back the lead when shortstop Ray Harron brought in Zimmerman who brought in both Beyel and the pitcher Jacob McMillan.
The Indians’ left fielder Corbin Lucas scored a run in the fifth with the help of right fielder Tyler Hoffman.
The fifth inning ended with the Terriers up 7-5.
Indian third baseman Derek Shifflett hit an infield ball that sent center fielder Dustin Brugler home.
The game ended with the Terriers triumphant in the quarterfinal round of Region III play..
Terrier coach Steve Sizemore commended both the coaching staff and the Indian players for their sportsmanship. “They’re class acts — all about sportsmanship,” Sizemore said. “The club has character.”
Echoing what Sizemore said, Indian coach Vic Spotts said the Terrier team had class.
“They played very well,” Spotts said. “They came out and did a nice job.”
Sizemore said he was proud that his team didn’t give up — everyone was ready to go and battling for the win.
“It was a back-and-forth game,” Sizemore said. “We’re fortunate to come out on top.”
“Everything they tried worked — everything we tried didn’t,” Spotts said. “When you make mistakes and they don’t, they come out on top.”
The Terriers play the winner of the Turner Ashby/Rustburg game on Friday at Kate Collins field.