Senior night started in the worse way possible, but Landon Nelson’s dominant performance in game two salvaged the night. ACA (10-15) honored the team’s three seniors, Grant Cornette, Zander Costanza, and Landon Nelson.
LAMP jumped all over the Eagle starter in game one with four runs in the first inning and one more in the second before the first of three relievers came in. The pitchers all played on the JV team during the year and made their varsity mound debuts in the game. Alex Heilman, who had played in a few varsity games earlier in the season was the first reliever. Cade Brannen and Beau Gainey both made their first appearance in a varsity game as the second and third relievers used. LAMP would eventually score eighteen and runs and have just as many hits in an 18-2 victory. The nightmare game ended in fitting fashion as Jackson McGuire lined into a triple play. Although there were no outs, both runners took off like there were two outs and were tagged out easily.
Jackson McGuire and Bryson Dabney were the bright spots offensively as McGuire finished 2 for 4 and Dabney was 1 for 2 with two runs scored.
The home team had a decision to make before game two, they could continue to take a beating or show some fight. Landon Nelson put the team on his back and dominated on the mound with a complete game effort and a new career high 14 strikeouts in a 5-1 triumph.
Over the first two innings both teams scored a run without the benefit of a hit as the rain came down. Jackson Mcguire had the game’s first hit with a two-out single in the third. ACA broke the game open in the fifth as the home team loaded the bases with one out. McGuire was hit by a pitch for a 2-1 lead. Landon Nelson hit a sac fly to center for a 3-1 lead and Jackson Burton hit a bloop single to shallow right for a 4-1 advantage. Teilan Long scored an insurance run in the sixth as he stole third and came home on an errant throw. In the seventh, Nelson struck out the first two LAMP batters and the last out was a pop-up to the senior to end it.
Landon Nelson drove in two to lead the team as Mac Moorer scored two runs for top honors. Four players, Jackson Burton, Teilan Long, Jackson McGuire, and Moorer, each had a single for the team’s only hits.