Western Sussex Senior League baseball team holds off Laurel, 3-2

The Delaware District III Senior League Baseball tournament continued on Sunday evening in a game between Western Sussex (Woodbridge and Seaford) and Laurel. The game began as a pitcher’s duel, with Laurel facing Western Sussex starter Mason Beauchamp, while Western Sussex countered against Laurel’s Nate Moore.

Laurel broke the ice in the second inning when Josiah Phillips singled for the first hit of the game, advanced on a wild pitch, and scored on a Parker Brooks single to left field. In the bottom of the same inning, Western Sussex had some crazy breaks, including a misplayed fly ball dropping right behind first base for a hit for James Adams. Tyler Hitchens drew a walk and scored after Adams hit a fly ball that dropped behind first base due to a defensive misplay. The game was tied at one run each.

Western Sussex took the lead in the bottom of the third inning, beginning with a single by Matt Taylor, who then stole second base. Shortstop David Irwin moved Taylor to third base on an infield ground ball out, setting up Uriah Taylor Brown to collect an RBI single to right field as Western Sussex led the game, 2-1. Over the next three innings, the bats went quiet as both defenses executed sharp plays to keep the low-scoring game within reach.

The excitement peaked in the seventh inning when Laurel’s Omar Long singled, and with two outs, Nate Moore singled to center field, which tied the game. Laurel threatened to take the lead when Max Allen walked, and Moore stole third base. Western Sussex closed the door when Taylor Brown tracked down a deep fly ball just short of the centerfield fence.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, pinch hitter Dalton Kinsell singled to right field, and Laurel made a pitching change to Jacob Kissinger. Beauchamp’s sacrifice bunt moved up Kinsell. Taylor singled to put runners at the corners, and Laurel intentionally walked Taylor Brown to load the bases. Jaxon Hoffman came to the plate and worked a 3-1 count, and after a brief meeting on the mound, the next pitch was ball four for a walk-off walk scoring Kinsell for the 3-2 win.

Beauchamp finished the game with four strikeouts, five hits, and two walks. Moore had eight strikeouts, five hits, and two walks for Laurel.