Westminster Academy Outslugs Highlands Christian Academy 13-10

Two young teams squared off last night with Class 2A Westminster Academy outlasting Class 1A Highlands Christian 13-10.

The victorious Lions’ starting line-up featured five sophomores and three juniors while their even younger opponent, the Knights boasted three freshmen, two sophomores and a pair of juniors in their line-up.

With one down in the top of the first, the younger of the Hepple brothers, freshman Eric, singled to left field and took second on a wild pitch. Older brother, senior Jason, promptly hit a prodigious home run, clearing the center field fence some 400′ feet away, staking the Knights to an early 2-0 lead.

The young and inexperienced Knights gave away the lead in the home half of the inning, committing three costly errors in the process.

Lead-off batter Will Buschmann got things started, reaching base on an error. Five singles, two more errors, a bases loaded walk and the Lions had gained the lead 4-2.

After both sides were retired in order in the second inning, Highlands tied the score at four apiece, scoring a pair of runs on three hits and a sacrifice fly in the top of inning three.

The Lions came roaring back in their half of the inning, scoring six runs to take a commanding 10-4 lead. Two costly errors contributed to five unearned runs. The only hits of the inning were a triple by speedy Matt Friend into the right field corner and designated hitter Joey Knight’s two-run, two-out single, also to right field.

Highlands closed the gap to 10-7 in the fourth. Carlton Cleare started the rally with a one out double. Singles by Kirvin Moesquit and both Hepple brothers accounted for the runs.

With one down in the bottom of the fourth, Daniel Burns was awarded first base, having been hit by a pitch for the third consecutive time. After an error put runners on first and second, Daniel D’Onofrio’s double drove in both runners, increasing the score to 12-7 after only four inning complete.

One inning later, Burns drove in Zack Gonzalez, who reached on a single, to stretch the Lions lead to 13-7.

The Knights again mounted a rally, scoring three times in the sixth inning to close the gap to 13-10. The key hits were delivered by Tre Dingus, E. Hepple and Donnie Peterson, each with RBI singles.

Burns, pitching in relief, worked a 1-2-3 seventh inning to earn the save. Starting pitcher Will Buschmann went five plus innings, striking out six and walking two in picking up the win. The Knight’s starter, Weston Clemente lasted only two and a third innings and takes the loss.

Winning coach Nick James was proud of his young squad. He is hoping that this victory will pave the way for a run at a championship in the tough District 14-2A.

As for Highlands Christian, they must regroup heading into defense of their District 14-1A title next week.

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