HS Baseball: Greater Beckley explodes past Man in Class A battle

Carter Hajash, Paul Fox and Isaiah Lewis all homer in the 14-4 win for the Crusaders

Man entered the Class A showdown with Greater Beckley a little ways down in its pitching rotation.

The red-hot bats for the Crusaders took full advantage of the opportunity.

Collecting 16 hits in clash - including three home runs - Greater Beckley knocked off the Hillbillies 14-4 in six innings.

Crusaders head coach Blain Smith discussed the win over Man.

The visitors took the early advantage scoring two runs in the first inning, but the momentum was short lived.

Carter Hajash helped his own cause with a solo-shot to open the Greater Beckley at-bat in the bottom half of the frame and before the inning was over, the Crusaders led 5-2.

Eli Gunter followed Hajash with a single and quickly stole second base before moving to third on a passed ball.

Gunter then scored on single from Isaiah Lewis who found his way home via a two-run blast from Paul Fox.

It was a blow that Man could never bounce back from the rest of the way.

Two crucial miscues by the Hillbillies in the bottom of the second allowed Greater Beckley to advance the lead to five before a run in the fourth inning trimmed the deficit back to 7-3.

At a point where the Crusaders appeared to be going a little stale, Kaden Bolen re-energized his squad with a crucial two-run, two-out double.

Leading 9-4 heading to the bottom of the fifth inning, GBC erupted for another big inning which, for the most part, put the game on lock down.

An RBI-single by Hajash and a walk to Gunter set the state for Lewis who hit a three-run blast over the right field fence, giving the Crusaders a 13-4 lead.

The win moved Greater Beckley's record to 7-2 on the year. Next up is a key regional game Tuesday against Richwood.

M: 200 110 x - 4 6 5

GBC: 520 241 - 14 16 1

M: Landon Cantrell 3-3 (3b); Braxton Sword 1-3 (2b, 2 rbi); Brody Sword 1-3 (rbi); Travis Vance 1-1 (rbi)

GBC:Carter Hajash 3-4 (2 rbi, HR); Eli Gunter 2-4; Isaiah Lewis 2-4 (HR, 4 rbi); Paul Fox 1-3 (HR, 2 rbi); Hunter Austin 1-4; Kaden Bolen 3-4 (2b, 2 rbi); Levi Endicott 1-4; Cole White 1-3 (rbi); Lucas Bowles 1-1; Ethan McGraw 1-1