MORGANTOWN — Caleb Cottle gave up just two hits in a five-inning complete game, and the Post 2 offense provided the run support needed to secure the Area 2 championship over Bridgeport Post 68 by a final score of 17-1 in five innings of play.
Continuing their hit streak at the plate, Morgantown plated five runs in the top of the first inning, before Cottle even threw a pitch.
Post 2 left fielder Jacob Kennell lead the game off with a single, something that became a theme for his team this week. In the three games played this week in the Area 2 tournament, the MHS graduate batted 7 for 11 at the plate, with nine runs scored and multiple bases stolen.
Cody Thomas walked and made way for Aaron Forbes to open the scoring. He brought Kennell around with a single to left field and gave Post 2 a lead it wouldn’t surrender.
Tommy Montague drove in the second run on a ground ball, fielder’s choice play. Then second baseman Jett Walters made it 3-0 on a single to center. Two more runs would score for Morgantown before Bridgeport were able to register three outs as Post 2 batted fully through its lineup.
Cottle came into the game already leading 5-0, something he says allows him to settle in a little earlier into his start.
“It definitely helps being able to go in there with a lead like that,” Cottle said. “It calms the nerves and allows me to settle in.”
“We have come together as a team more recently, players come from four different schools and being able to get closer and get to know everyone creates that family and creates that good environment,” he said.
Morgantown would add a single run in the second inning on a Forbes grounder to make the lead 6-0. Then after a quick defensive half, exploded for six more runs in the third inning.
Montague and Walters each singled to reach base, however the throw to first to get Walters went over the head of the first baseman and allowed the two runners to advance a base. Dominic Colasante and Park Croyle would both drive in a run to make it 8-0.
Then with two outs, four more runs would be scored before the top half of the third ended. Bridgeport earned its lone run in the bottom of the third on a wild pitch that allowed Aiden Paulsen to score from third. But it was too little too late for Post 68, as the score was already 12-1 and the mercy rule was in play.
Post 2 earned 19 hits in the contest. Catcher Park Croyle went 4 for 4 from the plate and was one of six total batters to earn multiple hits in the game.
Five more runs for Post 2 all but sealed the deal as Bridgeport went hitless in the bottom of the fifth. Morgantown are the 2022 Area 2 tournament champions and will advance to play Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the W.Va. state tournament.
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Morgantown Post 2 (17-14)
Kennell 4331 Thomas 3211 Forbes 4333 Brennan 4121 Montague 4121 Walters 3221 Boggs 1000 Colasante 3211 Croyle 4241 Nealy 2000 Dorkins 2112
Bridgeport Post 68
Paulsen 2110 Rohrig 3000 McDougal 2000 Dixon 2010 Harbert 1000 Bell 2000 Mann 1000 Lough 1000 Malnick 2000 Romano 2000
