Bombers hold on late for first victory

June 12, 2019 | 1:07 am

Updated June 12, 2019 | 1:07 am

Mason Grant delivers a pitch in the Owensboro Bombers' win on Tuesday. | Photo by Ryan Richardson

It came down to the wire, but the Owensboro Bombers picked up their first win of the season in their home opener Tuesday by holding off Evansville Funkhouser for a 7-6 victory at Shifley Park.

After a slim lead for much of the night, the Bombers (1-2) used a three-run seventh inning to create some distance, but Funkhouser nearly overcame the deficit.

Trailing 7-3, Evansville plated two runs in the eight and another in the ninth to get within a run of tying the game. Funkhouser was able to load the bases with only one out, but Daylin Crabtree (Apollo High School, 2020) induced a game-ending double play.

Bombers’ manager Matt Freeman said Evansville is a very good baseball club, so it took a strong effort to get the win.

“The kids played a close game tonight and finished it there at the end and made the plays they needed to make,” he said. “I think it will do a lot for their confidence.”

Crabtree picked up the save in 1.1 innings of action, striking out one and allowing a run. Mason Grant (Owensboro Catholic High School, 2019) earned the win as the starting pitcher, lasting 5.2 innings while allowing three runs and striking out seven.

Freeman said his pitchers were able to find the strike zone and rely on teammates to get outs.

“Funkhouser hit the ball extremely well,” Freeman said. “We had some pitches that we made in really high-leverage situations, and defensively we made the plays when it counted.”

After a sluggish start at the plate in their first two games, Freeman said the approach Tuesday was more aggressive.

“We talked about swinging on the first two pitches so we don’t have two strikes before we get the opportunity to swing the bat,” he said. “Tonight, we put the ball in play and good things happened.”

Brennon Williams (Owensboro High School, 2019) drove in four runs and went 2-for-4 with a triple, double and a run scored to lead the offense. Collier Higgs (OHS, 2019) also went 2-for-4 with a double and scored twice.

Owensboro will go back on the road for a weekend-long tournament in Evansville that begins Thursday. The Bombers are guaranteed at least five contests in the Perfect Game Tournament.

Evansville 100-110-021—6-16-1
Owensboro 202-000-30x—7-10-0
WP: Grant. LP: Tenltumberg. 2B: Maynard 2, Kiesel (E), Tolle, Williams, Higgs (O). 3B: Williams (O).

June 12, 2019 | 1:07 am

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