Baseball fans were in for a treat on Saturday with a thriller played in Alliance between the home town Spartans and FCB juniors from McCook. It took 8 innings before a walk off hit by Alliance’s Braeden Clarke ended the contest with the Peltz Co getting a hard fought 4 to 3 win. With the victory, Alliance now has won 9 in a row and improved to 9 and 1 for the season. The Peltz Co got super pitching from starter Kegan Nelson and reliever Lexton Salcido in putting up the win. Salcido went 6 strong inning, allowing just 3 hits while striking out 3. The Spartan pitcher gave up no runs in his outing. On offense, Clarke and Tony Escamilla each had 2 hits.
Two McCook tallies in the top of the first gave the guests some breathing room. FCB used a pair of hit batters, a fielder’s choice, and a single to surge ahead 2 to 0. Alliance countered with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning. A leadoff walk by Jaxon Poss began the action and Poss advanced into scoring position following a sac bunt by Creighton Friztler. An RBI double by Escamilla ensued as the Spartans moved closer at 2 to 1. In the second, both teams found the score column. McCook added their third run, using a single and double to go ahead 3 to 1. The Peltz Co answered back with a run of their own. Three walks by Alliance loaded the bases for EJ Garcia. The Spartan second baseman responded with an RBI ground out that pulled the Peltz Co to within 1 at 3 to 2 after 2 innings of play.
Alliance’s relief pitcher Salcido was strong in the third as McCook went scoreless. The Spartan then tied the game in bottom of the inning. A single by Alliance’s Kobe Strom started the mini rally. Eventually, Strom scored the tying run on an error by FCB. The battle went to the 4th knotted at 3.
An Alliance double play ended a McCook threat in the top of the fourth while the Spartan also failed to score in their attempt in the inning. In the fifth, both teams went 1-2-3. Salcido would again mow down McCook in inning #6 to keep the game close. A hit by Clarke in the bottom of the frame gave the Peltz Co hope but the Spartan first baseman was left of the paths. No runs were scored in the seventh and the game went to extra innings tied at 3. FCB was turned away in the top of the eighth setting up the Alliance walk off win. Escamilla started the rally with a hit and moved into scoring position following a McCook error. From there, it was a hit by Clarke that ended the game with Alliance winning 4 to 3.
FCB 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
ALL 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 4
5 hits for Alliance Clarke 2 Escamilla 2 Strom 1
The Spartans will continue their weekend with a Sunday game against Rapid City.