The Westran Hornets used a three-run sixth inning to push them to a 5-4 district championship win over Salisbury Wednesday.
Salisbury starter Austin Cravens got out of early trouble when Westran got its leadoff batter to third with nobody out but Cravens retired the next three. His bat then came through in the bottom half.
Caleb Sturm drove in a run on a groundout to give the Panthers a 2-0 edge. That score held until Westran’s Gage Adler hit a sac fly in the fifth. Gage Boeger tied it two batters later.
Salisbury recaptured the lead in the bottom half but Westran actually grabbed some momentum in the sequence. It came with the bases loaded, one out and Hayden Ramsey at the plate.
Westran began its big sixth with DC Dale and Hampton Summers leading off with singles. Dale scored the tying run on a passed ball. Grady Colley and Treydence Chapman walked to load the bases. The Hornets took the lead when Adler was hit by a pitch. Cooper Harvey added an insurance run.
Salisbury got a run back in the bottom half but grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning. Jake Peiffer led off the bottom of the seventh with a single before the next three were retired.
Connor Haynes got the win for Westran, pitching 6 2/3 innings and giving up four runs, two earned, six hits and three walks with one strikeout. He earned Freeman Financial and Insurance Outstanding Player of the Game. Adler came in to record the final out.
Salisbury’s Cravens was stellar before being pitch-counted out of the game. He threw 4 1/3 and gave up two unearned runs, one hit, four walks and struck out 10. Sturm took the loss.
Salisbury’s season ends at 18-5. Westran moves to 16-7 and wins its first district title since 2016. The Hornets play Eugene in sectionals Monday.
Westran’s Cooper Harvey, Connor Haynes and coach Tyler Tanner Postgame:
Salisbury coach Jed Cook Postgame:
