(April 10th, 2015) – WEST UNITY: Christian Barhite had an incredible evening for the Blackbirds in a convincing win over a strong Hilltop squad that took only six innings to accomplish. Pitching a complete game, the Pettisville junior suffered just 2 earned runs off of just a single hit, striking out an impressive 8 Cadet batters in the process.
Securing the win for both himself and his team, Barhite was vital to Pettisville’s 14-2 road victory over Hilltop.
The Blackbirds wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, earning the first 2 runs of the contest in the top of the first inning. The hometown boys of West Unity countered with a run of their own in the bottom half of the first, but were still faced with an early 2-1 deficit. Pettisville would add 3 more runs in the third, lengthening their advantage to a 5-1 margin heading into the bottom of the third.
Hilltop was again able to score a run in response to the Blackbird scores. Yet they couldn’t stay with the frenetic pace of the Pettisville offense. The Fulton County boys tacked on another run in the fourth, and then 3 more in the fifth, holding the Cadets scoreless all the while. Then, in the sixth inning, Pettisville scored 5 more runs, putting them ahead by 12. With Hilltop still unable to put runs on the board, the game was called before the seventh inning could be played.
Barhite displayed his versatility against the Cadets, finding success at the plate as well as the mound. He went 2 for 1 in the batter’s box, hitting a single to earn 2 RBIs. Senior Tate Kauffman also connected on 1 of his 2 at bats for the game, driving in a pair of runs with a single of his own. Dillon King, a freshman, was 2 for 3 on the evening, hitting both a single and a double for 2 RBIs.
Hilltop senior Colin Sabins had the lone hit for the Cadet boys. He went 1 for 3 from the plate, making the most of his one connection with the ball. His 1 hit was a double.
The Cadets struggled to find the right pitcher to take the mound throughout the game. Justin Ashenfelter started the contest, lasting 2 innings before needing to be relieved. The senior pitcher gave up 3 earned runs from 2 hits, striking out 4 batters while walking 3 more. Quinn Smith also struck out 4 Hilltop boys, doing so in three innings of play. However, he also gave up 4 earned runs on 5 hits. Cole Haynes finished out the game, giving up 3 earned runs off of 1 hit.