Oct. 21, 2009
ATLANTA – Sophomore right-hander Jacob Esch allowed just two hits in seven scoreless-innings and received all the offense he needed as the Gold team took the title with a 4-3 win Wednesday in the White & Gold World Series.
Esch fanned seven batters giving up just one walk in his terrific outing.
Freshman right-hander Luke Bard got the start for the White squad, giving up two runs on seven hits in six innings pitched.
The Gold side jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top half of the first on a double by sophomore Matt Skole to left field that would bring home junior Jeff Rowland from first.
A leadoff home run by senior Tony Plagman in the top of the fourth off Bard made it 2-0 for the Gold.
The side would add two more in the top of the ninth on a 2-RBI single to left field by sophomore Connor Winn, scoring freshman Jack Grove and sophomore Evan Martin.
The White side would fight back in the bottom of the ninth, narrowing the lead to 4-3 on a three-run home run by junior catcher Cole Leonida over the right field wall. The home run for Leonida was his second of the series and second in as many days.
Sophomore Jake Davies singled through the gap at second to keep hope alive for the White team, but pitcher Kevin Jacob struck out Matt Simonds on the next at-bat to close out the win.
