MORGANTOWN — This just in: Aaron Jamison is good at baseball.
While that might not be breaking news all by itself, the Morgantown High junior did have a newsworthy day at the plate on Tuesday.
Jamison, who has committed to play baseball at West Virginia University, slugged two home runs and collected four RBIs to help the Mohigans (5-3) pick up a 12-3 victory over rival University High.
“He does things the right way,” MHS head coach Pat Sherald said. “We are fortunate to have him. He plays the game the right way and is a great kid.”
While Jamison’s 2 for 4 game at the plate was a good sight for Sherald and the Mohigans, it was also a banner day for the entire MHS offense as they collected 13 hits.
It was a much-needed offensive outburst for an MHS team that has struggled at times this season with the bat.
“The guys came in and strung together some quality at bats,” Sherald said. “We took some extra bases when they were available and took the bunt when it was available. All together, this was probably our best offensive game we have had so far.”
Tuesday’s contest was scoreless through two innings before the Mohigans got things going in the third inning. Senior Jacob Kennell hit an RBI double to right field that scored Ty Galusky and then junior shortstop Ryan Fluharty hit a two-run double to score Kennell and Caleb Nutter for the early 3-0 lead.
University responded with two runs of its own in the fourth when sophomore center fielder Wenkai Campbell hit a home run to left field and then catcher Park Croyle added an RBI double that scored Aaron Forbes.
But that was as close as the Hawks (5-5) would get.
“We hit some baseballs hard today,” UHS head coach Brad Comport said. “We have some positives to take away. Our focus right now, is just to compete and put forth our maximum effort and see what happens.”
In the bottom of the fourth inning, MHS sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven runs. Jamison had a three-run home run while Lance Whanger added a two-run single, Weston Mazey had an RBI single and Fluharty had an RBI sacrifice fly.
Morgantown threatened to end the game early thanks to the 10-run rule as it scored one run in the fifth on an RBI sacrifice fly by Kennell, but the Mohigans could not push the final run across the plate.
UHS added one run in the top of the sixth when Noah Braham hit a home run to dead-center field. But Jamison was able to respond with his own solo homer in the bottom of the second.
“If I get my pitch, low in the zone, a little middle in – I just have to make the most out of it for my team,” Jamison said. “Last week we weren’t swinging the bats too well. Today, we all played our role. We hit balls up the middle, opposite field, it was a great day for us.”
Caleb Cottle and Domenic Colasante each had two hits including a double each for the Mohigans while Fluharty added his double and three RBIs. Galusky had three singles in the contest while Kennell added two RBIs. Reedy Bailey picked up the win on the mound for MHS as he struck out six, scattered nine hits and did not surrender a walk.
Braham, Campbell, and Cody Thomas each had two hits for the Hawks. Thomas took the loss on the mound for UHS as he lasted just over three innings with eight hits and one strikeout.
Morgantown returns to action at 5:30 p.m. today when it hosts Buckhannon-Upshur, while UHS travels to Lewis County.
Trinity 14, Hundred 2
Aaron White and Trenton Timperio each drove in two runs and Peyton Dixon had two hits and scored twice to lead Trinity.
Josiah Sheffstall picked up the win on the mound. He went three innings and allowed just one hit and one run, while striking out seven.
The game was stopped after five innings due to the mercy rule. Christian Fluharty had a solo home run for Hundred.
— STORY BY ERIC HERTER
