On Wednesday evening the Independence Patriots traveled to Providence High School to take on the state’s 14th ranked Providence Panthers in a non-conference baseball game.
The fans that attended the game saw a defensive battle for five full innings. They saw only one hit when Indy’s lead off hitter Bubba Cormer singled in the top of the first. There were no more hits until the sixth inning.
Indy’s Raja Milton led off the top of the sixth inning by reaching first base when the Providence catcher dropped the ball on a called third strike and was unable to throw Milton out at first. Bubba Comer came to the plate and drew a walk. With two runners on and no outs, Nate Brown followed with a near perfect bunt. A throwing error on the play scored Milton, and Comer advanced to third while Brown was safe at second. Matthew Mangum stepped in and was hit in the back by a pitch that loaded the bases. Noah Howie hit a hard line drive just out of the shortstop’s reach to score Comer. Nate Brown picked up Indy’s third run when Ryan Mangum drew a bases loaded walk. After six and one half innings the Patriots were leading 3-0.
In the bottom of the sixth, Providence’s lead off hitter was awarded first base after being hit by a pitch. Their next batter hit a hard line drive to Indy’s shortstop Ryan Mangum who made the catch for the out. The next two Panther batters hit singles to load the bases with one out. Will Palinkas came to the plate and was called out on strikes for the second out.With the bases loaded and two out, Indy walked in Providence’s first run.
Indy’s Coach Cooke made a pitching change bringing in left hander Jake McDaniel.
On McDaniel’s first pitch to the plate the ball was low in the dirt and got away from Howie allowing the Panthers’ second run. Providence picked up two more runs on two walks and two passed balls making the score 4-3 after six full innings.
Indy was unable to score in the top of the seventh giving Providence the 4-3 non-conference victory.
Independence 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 – 3
Providence   0 0 0 0 0 4 X – 4
