Blair baseball falls to Clarksburg Coyotes

Stolen base

Photo: Senior shortstop Sebastian Guzman collects the ball after attempting to tag out a Clarksburg runner stealing second base.

Senior shortstop Sebastian Guzman collects the ball after attempting to tag out a Clarksburg runner stealing second base. Photo courtesy of Maggie Megosh.

On April 11, the Blair Blazers (3-3) lost to the Clarksburg Coyotes (0-1) in a tense, drawn-out game by final score of 4-5.

The Blazers and Coyotes were tied the majority of the game. In the first couple innings, Blair and Clarksburg fell into a rhythm of taking and retaking the lead. The score was tight through the entire game, neither team quite letting up on the other or ever gaining an advantage.

Blair starting pitcher senior Ricky Reeves struggled with his fastball command and surrendered numerous walks throughout his two innings of work, allowing Clarksburg to capitalize on runners in scoring position.

Blair struck out several times in the bottom of the second inning. Despite these offensive shortcomings, junior catcher Logan Stillerman and senior shortstop Sebestian Guzman stood out for their consistent achievements on both sides of the field. Overall the teams' defensive and offensive struggles evened out with their successes. 

After Reeves loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the third, coach Wannen took the ball from him and called in senior Ian Anderson from the bullpen. Anderson began his night by striking out the first batter he faced.

He then induced a hard ground ball to third base. All in one motion, Hunt collected the ball, set his feet, and rifled a throw home to get the force out and prevent a run. Stillerman then stepped on the plate and fired to first to try to get the lead runner out. Stillerman's strong throw beat the runner by a hair and the Blazers somehow got out of the inning unscathed, the score still sitting at 3-2 Clarksburg.

Stillerman and Guzman struck out in the bottom of the third before senior center fielder Aiden Niemerski reached on an error by the Coyote catcher. Niemerski then showed off his speed and stole second base. Senior third baseman Evan Hunt came to the plate with a runner in scoring position and capitalized, driving Niemerski in from second on a single to tie the game at 3.

Anderson began the top of the fourth inning by striking out the first batter he faced on three pitches. He then surrendered a one-out double on a fastball at the middle of the plate. However, he bounced right back and struck out the next two batters to cheers and emphatic high-fives from his teammates. The Blazers were unable to put runs on the board in their half of the fourth and the score remained at 3-3.

Anderson did not surrender a run through the rest of his outing. However, the Blazer offense was unable to put significant pressure on the Clarksburg pitching. When Anderson was relieved by junior Leo Rossotto in the 6th inning, the score was still tied at 3.

In the top of the seventh, Rossotto gave up a two-out walk and a subsequent single to right field. Right fielder Jack Bevington then overthrew to third base in an attempt to cut the runner down, allowing Clarksburg to score and break the tie.

The Blazers had to score at least once in the bottom of the seventh to keep the game alive. With one out Guzman ripped a base hit to right field. Niemerski stepped up to the plate next and moved Guzman over to second on a hard single to left. Hunt then hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Guzman and tying the game. However, the Blazers were unable to walk Clarksburg off and stranded the bases loaded to bring the game into the eighth inning.

In the top of the eighth inning, Rossotto got off to a good start and retired the first two Clarksburg batters he faced. He then surrendered a two-out double down the left field line. Struggling with his command, Rossotto then walked the next two batters to load the bases. Clarksburg took advantage of the opportunity with a one-run single that quieted the Blazer bench and fans.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Blazers were not able to put a runner into scoring position and were retired before they could tie the game. The final score ended at 5-4, Clarksburg.