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Travis Knight still presents problem for the Knights

By Joe Cantrell, 08/08/18, 7:15PM EDT

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The Beard gives up 2 over 7 but stands tall

Oak Grove Park, Centerville Ohio. August 7,2018 

The Boars went to Oak Grove as visitors to battle the Knights at Oak Grove park in Centerville, They sent veteran RHP Travis (the beard ) Knight to the mound to do battle with former Boars pitcher Zach Carroll. Carroll was dealing in the top of the first after an opening hit by Dylan Pletsch who promptly stole 2nd and then 3rd and a BB to Markus Hall who stole 2nd. Carroll settled down and stuck out the next 3 Boars hitters looking giving up -0- Runs. Knight was ready to counter retiring the first 3 batters he faced with the aid of his defense. Lead off hitter Jake Postel flied out to Gary North  in  Left, Jarel Bristol was taken out at 1st by Markus Hall the Boars Shortstop, and Knights skipper Alec Hutzleman was put out at first by 3rd baseman Nick Stacy.

In the 2nd the Boars went down again in order to Carroll, with a fly out to right a 5 to 3 and another strike out  Carrolls 4th, and this was shaping up to be another pitching dual between the two veteran pitchers. Knight faced 4 batters in the bottom of the 2nd and again Hall, and Stacy did their part getting the first two Knights hitters, and after a base on balls to Anthony Turner. Austin McCabe lined a shot right back to Knight and the inning was over. 

In the 3rd the Boars scored first. Dave Pruim drew a walk, Dylan Pletsch was hit by a pitch and Markus Hall tore into the 1st pitch for a double. A perfect throw and another perfect relay to Hutzleman got Pletsch at the Plate for the 2nd out. Rich Navratil snagged a ball for out #3 as he stepped on first. The Boars led 1 to 0 as the Knights came to bat. The lead was short as the Knights came up, after a HBP and a sac fly to move the runner up Postel popped out to Hall for out #2, when Jarel Bristol launched it over the center field fence for a home run and 2 RBI's the Knights led 2 to 1 over the Boars.

Sully Minner led off the 4th with a home run of his own ( His 3rd on the Year). Gary North singled,Thomas Troy was walked, after a sac fly by J.R. Nixon moved the runners up, Nick Stacy was HBP. Travis Knight hit a sac fly scoring North, Pruim walked his 2nd on the night and Pletsch walked as well.  Markus Hall brought them in with a singlefor his 3rd RBI on the night. The Boars now leading 6 to 2 never looked back after that point.  Knight retired the Knights hitters with a ground out to 1st and 2 strikeouts in order. 

Thomas Troy lifted a ball into the twi-night sky in the 5th that found its way over the left field fence for his 4th home run on the season. JR Nixon singled and moved to 2nd after Stacy was walked, Travis Knight helped his cause by hitting a single, scoring Nixon and sending Stacy to 3rd. Boars lead was now 8 to 2.

Knight gave a hit to McCabe to start the bottom of the 5th when McCabe bunted and the throw got past Minner and sailed down the right field line. McCabe went past 2nd and dug hard for 3rd Dave Pruim came up with the ball and threw a laser shot to Stacy beating McCabe to the base Stacy then applied the tag and there was 1 down. After a fly out to Thomas Troy, a ground out back to Knight ended the 5th. 

In the 6th Markus Hall reached first stole 2nd and scored an a RBI single by Jimmy Herold before the Boars were retired the Boars led by 7 after their at bat Boars 9 Knights 2. Jake Postel reached first after a mishandled feed from Sully Minner to Travis Knight at first allowed him to get on and walks issued to Bristol and Hutzleman, drew a visit to mound by Boars Manager Joe Cantrell to check on his veteran pitcher, all was well as Cantrell set the defense and Knight went back to work. Striking out Connor Bishop and with  the bases still loaded with Knights, Nick Taylor grounded sharply to Nick Stacy at 3rd drawn up to the grass Nick threw home getting Postel, and Herold spun and threw to Minner for the 5-2-3 Double Play ending the inning and the Knights threat.

The Boars went down 1,2,3  in the 7th and set up for the defense to hold the game. After a base on balls to Turner, Knight got McCabe to strike out his 4th of the game, Rich Navratil singled, Zach Carroll hit a ball destined to go between short and 3rd but an ESPN highlight grab by Boars Shortstop Markus Hall who sprang to his knees and threw out Turner at 3rd put 2 outs in the books as Carroll reached on an FC.  With 2 on and 2 out Jake Posetl ground sharply to Sully Minner at first who stepped on the bag and gave the game to the Boars.

Travis Knight took a complete game 3 hitter giving up 2 earned  and 4 K's

Boars Defensive Player of the game Markus Hall with a run saving grab and toss out in the 7th.

HM to Nick Stacy for a heads up Double Play 5 to 2 to 3 to shut down the 6th inning when bases were loaded.

Boars Offensive Player of the game Markus Hall - 2 for 3 with 3 RBI's,  2 SB, and 1 run scored

HM to Thomas Troy for 2 runs scored and his 4th HR on the season.                                                                                                                                      HM to Sully Minner 1 run scored and his 3rd HR on the season.

Next up for the Boars vs Royals at 1:00 pm on Sunday the 12th at Carleton Davidson Stadium in Springfield hope to see you there.