PBR Spotlight Game: No. 10 McComb (D-IV) at No. 10 Liberty-Benton (D-III)

FINDLAY, OH - Two teams with unbeaten records in the Blanchard Valley Conference squared off at Liberty-Benton high school, as No. 10 McComb (D-IV) faced the host No. 10 Liberty-Benton (D-III). The Eagles' Alex Harter shutdown the Panthers to just one hit in the 5-1 victory for Liberty-Benton.

Liberty Benton got on top in the second as junior clean-up hitter Caleb Russell roped a single up the middle, advancing to second on a walk to Harter. Junior Josh Ostrander reached on a fielders choice to load the bases bringing to the plate freshman Wyatt Young.

Young walked to bring home Russell. After a fielders choice, freshman Tyler George laced an RBI single up the middle to put the Eagles on top 2-0. 

L-B added one in the fourth.

Sophomore Mason Rose drew a lead-off walk, advancing to second on a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt by George. Senior lead-off center-fielder Anthony Webb drove Rose home on an RBI single to put the Eagles on top 3-0.

McComb got its lone hit and run in the top of the fifth. After a flyout, senior nine-hole hitter Logan Meares roped a single to right field, which the right-fielder misplayed allowing Meares to get to third.

Senior lead-off shortstop Mitch Schroeder drove Meares home on a sacrifice fly, but that was all that was to be had against Harter

The 2015 prospect, Harter went six innings on the mound allowing just one hit and three walks while striking out eight.

L-B added two insurance runs in the sixth. A lead-off walk to Young, a bunt single by Rose put two on. After a strikeout and intentional walk to load the bases, junior Parker Lease laid down a squeeze bunt for an RBI and senior Jared Neiling reached on an error that allowed Rose to score and put the Eagles on top 5-1.

Liberty-Benton head coach Scott Arnold decided to go with Neiling to close out the game in the seventh and the plan worked just fine as Neiling shutdown McComb one-two-three with two strikeouts.

The win puts the Eagles in the drivers seat in the BVC with a 5-0 record. Behind them are McComb (4-1), Arlington (4-1) and Van Buren (3-1).

Notable performances in the game:

• Alex Harter, the 6-foot-3 lanky junior righty went six innings on the mound allowing just one hit and three walks while striking out eight.
• Clay Grubb, the junior went the distance for McComb allowing five runs on five hits and five walks while striking out seven.
• Caleb Russell, the 6-foot junior first baseman had two singles, a HBP and a run scored.
• Jared Neiling, the senior closed the game out in the seventh, shutting McComb down one-two-three with two strikeouts.
• Wyatt Young, the 2017 catcher did a nice job behind the plate and reached base twice with two walks.
• Tyler George, the 2017 second baseman had an RBI single and sacrifice bunt.

Linescore

McComb     000  010  0  -  1  1  3

Liberty-Benton   020  102  -  5  5  1

Records: Liberty-Benton 11-0 (5-0 BVC), McComb 9-2 (4-1 BVC).

Winning pitcher: Alex Harter (6 innings, 1 run, 1 hits, 8 strikeouts, 3 walks). Other Jared Neiling (1 inning, 0 runs, 0 hits, 2 strikeouts, 0 walks).

Losing pitcher: Clay Grubb (6 innings, 5 runs, 5 hits, 7 strikeouts, 5 walks, 1 HBP).

Leading hitters: (McComb) - Logan Mearts single. (Liberty-Benton) - Caleb Russell 2 singles; Anthony Webb single; Mason Rose single; Tyler George single.

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