Danville pounds Speake in slugfest

By Staff
Hawks fly past Speake 16-10
Nick Johnston, Hartselle Enquirer
DANVILLE – Danville's game last Thursday against Speake defined the term "slugfest."
The Hawks came out on top 16-10, including a sixth inning where the two teams combined for 11 runs.
Sam Roy started the contest for Danville but did not get the decision, as Bryan Johnson entered in the fifth to earn the win. Johnson gave up seven runs on five hits and struck out four.
Roy pitched the first four innings, gave up six hits, walked two and struck out two.
Dexter Wimberley's triple in the first inning started things for Danville. Wimberley, who went 3 for 4 and scored three runs, scored one batter later on Dustin Terry's sacrifice.
Speake responded in the second inning to take a 2-1 lead.
With runners on the corners and one out, Chris Hornbuckle singled to score both runners.
In the bottom of the second, Danville did not register a hit but managed three runs.
Nate Orr reached with a walk and advanced to third on a throwing error. Orr scored on another error to knot the score at 2-all.
Craig Poole, who reached on a fielder's choice earlier in the inning, scored on a wild pitch, while Matt Lindsey also crossed the plate on a sacrifice.
Both Speake and Danville scored one run apiece in the third inning, as Terry scored for the Hawks.
With Danville leading 5-3 in the fifth inning, Johnson entered the game and appeared to have things under control until an error in the outfield with two outs gave life to the Bobcats.
With a runner on second, Johnson made a mistake and gave up a two-run homer to Alex Brakeman. Brakeman's blast to center field tied the game at 5-all.
Danville, though, responded with four runs in the bottom half of the fifth inning to take a 9-5 advantage.
Matt Young knocked home Wimberley for the first run and Terry scored on Adam Cochrane's single to move Danville ahead 7-5.
Josh Biggans, running for Young, and Orr both scored on errors.
In the sixth, Johnson found himself in a jam.
With the bases loaded, he was able to get two Speake batters out, but the third out was a bit of a challenge.
On an 0-2 pitch, Chadd Voss tripled to the fence, scoring Adam Lindsey, Danny Addie and Brett Voss.
Hunter Sparks' double scored Chadd Voss to tie the contest at 9-all.
Danville's seven runs in the sixth inning sealed the win.
With the Hawks ahead 12-9, Lindsey ripped a three run double to the fence, scoring Poole, Orr and Cochrane. Cory Weaver's single scored Lindsey for the Hawks' final run.
Danville JV 4
Speake JV 3
Thursday
Josh Biggans had two of Danville's four hits.
Thomas Garner pitched a complete game and gave up just one hit and two walks. He struck out 10.
Danville 12
Brewer 2 (5 innings)
Friday
Thomas Hopkins gave up two unearned runs on five hits and struck out six as the Hawks beat Brewer.
Dustin Terry went 3 for 4 with two runs scored, Adam Cochrane went 2 for 3 with three RBIs, while Matt Young scored twice and knocked in two more.
Both Hopkins and Dexter Wimberley scored two runs in the win.