By Stephen Smoot
Earlier this month, Pendleton County joined 32 other teams to compete in the McDonalds Classic, the Mountain State’s marquis high school baseball event. Though Bridgeport High School hosted, games took place at five separate sites. Sam Yokum, head coach, said, “We have been going down there many, many years.”
The Wildcats took the field first against Liberty High School on their home field. Liberty brought with them a 6-16 record, two of their wins against triple A Preston. They also defeated Tucker County 11-1.
Liberty struck first, scoring in the first inning, then again in the second, registering a run a piece. Chase Owens, who started and earned the win, held them mostly at bay in his five innings of work. This gave the Wildcats opportunity to answer the challenge, which they did. In the third inning, Pendleton County knocked in a run to halve the gap.
Then came the fourth, in which the Wildcats took control. A seven run barrage gave them an 8-2 lead. Liberty retaliated with four runs in the bottom of the inning, but gave up two in the top of the fifth. The final score tallied at 10-7 in favor of the visiting squad from Pendleton County.
Dustin Vandevander relieved Owens for one inning and Landon Colaw came on to earn his second save in a week, the first coming against rival Moorefield.
James Vincell hammered two doubles and drove two runs in. Cashton Kisamore had a single and a double while also driving in two. Colaw had two runs batted in and a single. Clayton Kisamore had a hit and an RBI as well. Vandevander, Dillon Smith, Brayden Beachler, and Owens all also singled in the victory.
Next, the Wildcats faced the tough double A East Fairmont Bees who had earned a 13-7 record on the season. The Bees had solid wins against Sissonville and Elkins, but a 9-4 loss to Frankfort.
Yokum noted, “They have been playing very well. We lost 3-2, but we had opportunities.”
Colaw, who earned the save against Liberty the night before, came in strong. He took a no hitter into the fourth inning. Yokum said, “I’m very pleased. I thought he pitched a great game.”
East Fairmont took two runs at that point, then a third in the top of the sixth. The Wildcats played as the home team in the neutral venue at Robert C. Byrd High School and answered in the bottom with two runs.
Neither team could score in the seventh, leaving the game a stinging, but slender 3-2 Bee win.
Colaw supported his pitching efforts with an RBI single. Vandevander had a double and an RBI as well. Jayden Roberson, Vincell, and Clayton Kisamore also registered hits.
The return to regional action brought big wins against more familiar opponents. On the 17th, the Wildcats defeated the Paw Paw Pirates 21-3. Every day in which the tiny northern Hampshire County school could field a team represents a victory of sorts to their program as they brought a 2-4 record to the contest.
Pendleton County took control immediately with 11 runs in the first and eight more in the second. Paw Paw could not retaliate until the last inning of play, valiantly fighting for five in the fifth.
Many Wildcat future stars shone in the game. Cashton Kisamore pitched two scoreless innings, followed by Vincell, Smith, and Caleb Armentrout who delivered one a piece.
The game allowed Yokum to “get some different guys some work.” In the first innings, Vandevander earned two hits and an RBI, along with Vincell who had two hits and three RBIs. Alex Ruddle, Owens, and Armentrout also each had two hits with Owens also driving in three.
Additionally, Jonas Turner had a two run double, Roberson a hit and an RBI, Cashton Kisamore a double, and Smith and Beachler with a hit a piece.
On the 18th came a crucial game against a usually tough out in Tygarts Valley. This year, however, the Randolph County squad has struggled, posting a 1-9 record. Clayton Kisamore led the effort to overcome the Bulldogs, pitching a complete five inning and six strikeout game. He also had three hits, including a triple, and three RBIs.
The Wildcats finished their undefeated week with an 11-1 victory against Bath County, Virginia.
One of the continuing problems for Pendleton County lies in games played. Yokum, who places a premium on the importance of game repetitions, said, “We had a third Saturday double header canceled.” The South Harrison games were canceled due to inclement weather.
“I was hoping that we would be 21-22 games in now,” said Yokum. The Wildcats have only 14 games played, but a solid 10-4 record against strong competition.
One of many bright spots, however, remains the consistent production for the Wildcats at the bottom of the order, drawing walks and getting key hits in crucial situations.
