EATON – Miami East came up short of advancing to the district finals as the Vikings dropped a 5-4 heartbreaker to Versailles on Monday at Eaton High School.
And it was three fielding errors that were the Vikings’ downfall as they led to three unearned runs for the Tigers.
Miami East got out to a quick start as it scored two runs in the top of the first on a two-run double by senior Nathan Wooley that scored Austin Francis and Connor Apple.
Viking starter Connor Apple threw well, but two defensive errors in the bottom of the second gave Versailles momentum where the Tigers took advantage by plating four runs in the inning.
Miami East responded in the top of the fourth by tying the score with two runs of its own on a two-run single by Cael Rose to right field. Unfortunately, the Vikings left runners stranded at second and third.
Versailles then scored a run in the bottom of the fifth after Carson Bey started the inning by being hit by a pitch and then quickly made it to third on a stolen base and a passed ball. He then scored on a sac fly to left.
The Vikings’ bats went cold over their final two innings as Versailles recorded outs on six straight batters.
In all, Miami East connected on six hits in the contest and left eight runners stranded on base, while Versailles tallied five hits and left six stranded.
Connor Apple and Gage Butz combined for a quality effort on the hill, allowing just five hits. They combined to strike out six batters and walked just two.
Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to overcome missed opportunities.
