By RYAN WALKER
Norwell had to gut out a 6-4 victory over Peru in the first round of the baseball sectional Wednesday night.
The Knights, who are hosting their first-ever sectional in baseball, got clutch hits in front of a packed crowd to rally behind a 3-0 deficit.
Peru got on the board first, plating three runs in the second inning on a two-RBI single by Gavin Eldridge, who later scored on a wild pitch.
Outside of Cayden Cassel’s RBI single in the third inning, Norwell found itself in some trouble until the fifth inning. That was when Drew Graft slammed home an RBI triple to inch closer with a 3-2 score. Then, Cade Shelton blasted his second home run of the season to the batting cages in left field for a two-run home run that gave the Knights the lead.
Following the home run, the Tigers tied the game up when Reis Bellar reached base, legging out an infield single. He rounded second, third, and came home a few pitches later on passed balls and wild throws.
In the seventh, Graft reached first on a leadoff walk, stole second and represented the go-ahead run for the Knights. But the Tigers’ relief pitcher Ian Potts recorded the next three outs to send the game to extra innings.
Leading off the eighth inning, Logan Cotton was plunked by Potts and was awarded first base. Pinch runner Garry Riley ran for him and ended up on second on a stolen base. Drew Jolley’s sacrifice bunt was executed to perfection, getting Riley to third. Then, Korben Neuenschwander came in clutch, hitting a single back up the Tigers’ middle of the infield to regain the lead.
For insurance, Graft drilled a double to left field to drive in another run.
Cade Shelton, throwing in relief for Lane Lewis in the seventh inning, recorded three outs in a row for the second straight inning to seal the win.
Norwell will host Bellmont in the second round at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 25.
ryan@news-banner.com
