Grey powers past Navy to force Game 5
November 16, 2012
SHREVEPORT, La. - Grey pounded eight hits in route to a 7-0 blanking of Navy on Friday afternoon at Pilot Field to force the decisive Game 5 on Saturday. Rhett Gonsoulin and Kyle Pearson each had a pair of hits and RBI's to help boost Grey to their first win since Game 1 on Monday.
Navy (2-2) committed a pair of errors in the game with the first one coming in the bottom of the fourth inning that opened up the inning for Grey as Rashad Robinson's throw ended up in right field on an attempt that could have ended the inning on a double play. Instead the throwing error allowed a run to score and Grey would rally for two more for a 3-0 lead after four innings.
The innings started with Navy starter Regan Calvert (0-2) giving a couple of free bases to the first two batters; a hit-by-pitch to Mikey Ford and then a walk to Brandon Cooksey. Calvert battled to strike out K. J. Semien and then appeared to have induced the inning-ending double play but the wild throw opened the door for the first run to score.
Grey took the momentum as Rhett Gonsoulin ripped a single to left that brought in two more runs in the fourth. Ford hit a sac-fly in the fifth to extend the Grey lead to 4-0 after five innings. Grey would not be through there as they delivered the knock-out blow, another three-run inning, in the bottom of the sixth.
Manny Estrada singled in the inning's first run and then Pearson laced a double down the left field line scoring Gonsoulin and Estrada. This was Pearson's first game with a run batted in since he drove in three in Game 1.
The starting pitcher for Grey Jake Byrd (1-0) has a few innings with great stuff and the a few innings where he struggled to find the zone but worked his way out of a bases loaded jam in the second inning. The south-paw tossed five innings allowing only two hits but his strikeouts and walks were even at four each.
Paul Barton tossed an inning walking one and fanning one while Manny Estrada made a push for the closer's role slamming the door in the seventh. The Pilot's everyday short stop allowed just one hit while walking one and striking out one for the Grey team.
Reno Dupuis was not as effective as he was in Games 2 and 3 when he did not allow a run. Today he allowed just one run but he was the most effective pitcher that Navy had on the mound. He threw one and 1/3 innings allowing two hits, one run, and one walk.
The wheels finally came off the wagon for Navy in the bottom of the sixth when Ben Edmiston allowed four hits and three runs in the seven batters that he faced.
Game 5 is tomorrow at Pilot Field at 1:37 p.m. to decide the 2012 Fall World Series Champions. For complete coverage of the FWS with box scores click here.
