MCHENRY — What a difference 48 hours can make.
On Tuesday, Fort Cumberland Post 13 defeated Garrett County Post 71/208/214 at the Hot Stove Complex 20-1 in five innings.
On Thursday, it took nine innings to decide a winner as Post 13 held on for a 3-2 victory at Garrett College.
“We struggled all game long, just couldn’t hit,” Fort Cumberland head coach Brian McAlpine said. “Just couldn’t get any rhythm, in the first three innings we left nine on. Just couldn’t find a way to get runs in. You’ll have games like that.”
In Tuesday’s game, Post 13 (12-6, 8-1 Mountain District) combined for 18 hits with 12 players reaching base at least once.
On Thursday, Fort Cumberland only recorded three hits, but drew 15 walks, plus one intentional.
The story of the game for both teams was the inability to get the big hit.
Fort Cumberland left 18 runners on base while Post 13 left the bases loaded three times and two runners on in four innings.
Garrett County (9-12, 1-8 Mountain District) left 14 runners, including two innings with the bases loaded and three with a pair on.
“That’s the kinda games we should be in, not like the other night,” Garrett head coach Phil Carr said. “I’m proud of the way we came back. We had a game where we had many chances to score and win the game. They worked out of situations, we worked out of situations.”
Fort Cumberland took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a double steal with Carson Bradley taking second as Landon McAlpine stole home.
However, Garrett County starter Ryan Bird stranded the bases loaded to end the inning.
Garrett tied the game in the bottom of the first on a line drive RBI single from Bird, but he was tagged out at second.
A groundout off of Wally Brands drove in the go-ahead run, which Garrett maintained until the top of the fifth.
With two on and one out, Bird hit a blooper to right for an RBI triple to even the score at 2.
Both teams left two runners on in the seventh as the game went into extras.
“I don’t know if we weren’t focused,” coach McAlpine said of the lack of a big hit. “I thought after the other night they’d be ready to go again tonight. You’ll have nights like that.”
In the top of the eighth, two walks (one intentional) put a pair of runners on.
A sliding play by Cole Folk led to an inning-ending double play.
Fort Cumberland’s dugout was irate, arguing the first baseman did not keep his foot on the base.
After one of Post 13’s assistant coaches was ejected, coach McAlpine argued with the home plate umpire and he was also tossed.
“I thought he pulled off,” McAlpine said. “The first base umpire said he didn’t see it. I asked to talk to the home plate umpire, of course he hadn’t changed the call all night. I knew where that was going. After that, I took up for my assistant coach. I was trying to figure out why he was thrown out. He tossed me before he gave me the explanation.”
In the top of the ninth, Myles Bascelli drew a four-pitch walk, then stole second base.
The catcher’s throw sailed into center, allowing Bascelli to take third.
On the next play, a ground ball was hit toward the third baseman.
His throw skipped toward home plate, allowing Bascelli to score the eventual winning run.
“We probably made more big plays to get out of innings,” Carr said. “But it comes down to the last inning, we make two key mistakes and it cost us.”
In the bottom of the ninth, Fort Cumberland reliever Steven Spencer recorded two quick outs on a strikeout and groundout.
A popup down the left field line was dropped, then a base hit from Bird put two on for Garrett.
Another popup down the third base line was caught to end the game.
Caden Long went 2 1/3 innings as Post 13’s starter, allowing two runs, two hits and five walks.
Kohen Madden threw two shutout innings while Spencer went 4 2/3 scoreless, allowing four hits and two walks.
“I have pretty good confidence in both of them,” coach McAlpine said. “Especially Steven, I took Kohen out early because we have a doubleheader Saturday. Steven’s not gonna be here, so I rode him out. He did a heck of a job.”
Landon McAlpine, Madden and Caedon Wallace each recorded one hit for Post 13, Fort Cumberland’s only hits of the night.
Carson Bradley drew three walks and stole two bases while Bascelli, Tyson Shumaker and Spencer each drew a pair.
Bird issued eight free passes along with two hits, but only allowed a pair of runs.
Brayden Upole went 2 1/3 scoreless frames while Jared Haskiell did not allow an earned run in two innings.
“Our pitching was good, they’re a really good hitting team as they proved Tuesday,” Carr said. “We held them down to two runs until the last inning. That’s the way I think our games should’ve been this summer.”
Luke Ross had two of Garrett’s seven hits while Brands drew three of Garrett’s seven walks.
Garrett County plays at Clarksburg Post 13 on Friday.
Fort Cumberland hosts Uniontown Post 51 of Pennsylvania for a doubleheader on Saturday at 5 p.m.
Garrett and Fort Cumberland will play for the final time this summer on Tuesday at the Hot Stove Complex at 6 p.m.