Tipp survives scare, edges Troy 3-2
Tipp needed something big in the bottom of the seventh inning, trailing the Troy Trojans and down to their last strike. Cayden McKinney then delivered.
After pitching nearly a complete game, McKinney then lined a pitch to center to bring home two runs as the Red Devils completed a 3-2 comeback victory against the Trojans to remain unbeaten on the season. They also stay with Butler atop of the MVL standings.
“This is one to build on,” said Tipp coach Cameron Dickens. “We always have respect for our rivals, but we will never not expect to be in them and win those games. Momentum is only as good as the next game.”
McKinney got out of trouble in the opening inning as Troy left two runners on base and got Riddle to ground out with a run in scoring position.
In the bottom of the first, Tipp would score their only run of the game until the seventh inning comeback. Preston Zumwalt singled and later scored when McKinney singled to center, giving the host Red Devils a 1-0 lead. McKinney later tried to score on a single but was thrown out at the plate.
Tipp left the bases loaded in the second inning as they could not bring them around with one out.
In the fourth for Troy, they tied the game as two consecutive singles opened the inning. Hoke then drove in a run to even the game at 1-1. The Red Devils also had a big play later in the inning with a tag out at home when Hempker looked to score on a single.
The Trojans then took the lead in the top of the fifth off of McKinney when Gorman reached on a single, later stole third and came into score to give Troy a 2-1 lead.
Down to their final three outs, the Red Devils went to work. Merry reached on a walk and moved up on a single from Bryce Eckert. Zumwalt was hit by a pitch to lead the bases, setting up the game winner. With two outs, McKinney singled and the Red Devils walked off with the huge league victory.
“Caiden had the walk off and he has been phenomenal for us this year,” Dickens said. “He has been such a leader. He had some struggles with the bat last year, but we knew moments like this were going to come for him. For him to be the leader against a team like Troy says a lot about his character.”
It was another strong pitching performance for Tipp as McKinney goes six and one-third innings as the starter and Eckert closes the door.
“They are confident with themselves, and they know their abilities,” Dickens said. “Pitching coach Jimmy Johnson is a huge part of that. He brings a certain level of professionalism and respect, and he will put them into positions to succeed.”
*The second game of the series was rained out on Friday night, and a makeup date is TBA.
