Brandon Nations´ Big Day Keys Malkoff Win over Gunter

Malakoff and Gunter had a well played game in Semifinal #2 with Malakoff winning 4-3 on a walk-off RBI single by Brandon Nations, driving in Bryson Adair.

In Malakoff´s first AB in the bottom of the 1st inning after 2 quick outs, fellow UIW commits Cole Gaddis and Brandon Nations hit back-to back doubles to score 1 run. Malakoff starter, Alan Benhardt would work in and out of trouble in the first 2 innings, stranding 5 runners to start the game. Gunter starting pitcher Isaac Villanueva worked around a double, a walk, and a Hit by Pitch to have a scoreless second. Gaddis walked to leadoff the 3rd and then Nations hit a massive 2 run homer to give Malakoff a 3-0 lead.

The Gunter batters continued to have tough at-bats and finally broke through on Benhardt in the 4th inning. A 2 out walk by Nash Daniel was followed by an RBI triple for Reikkhen Bostick. Benhardt would end up going 5 innings, giving up only 1 run on 4 hits. He walked 3 and had 8 strikeouts. In the top of the 6th, Gunter got to Malakoff reliever for a walk and a single followed by a 2 RBI double for Nash Daniel over the centerfielder´s head. The big hit tied the game, but Wes Hustead entered the game on the mound to shut down the Tigers. Hustead recorded 3 straight outs to including 2 strikeouts to get out of the jam.

Isaac Villanueva settled in and ended the game with 6 1/3 IP, giving up 4 Earned Runs on 5 hits while walking 4 and striking out 7. In the top of the 7th, Cade Dotson led off with a double after a 10 pitch at-bat, but Hustead would strand him at 3rd after a strikeout, a groundout, and a flyball. Villanueva would have to be pulled from the game after reaching his pitch count, leaving with Bryson Adair on 1B with 1 out in the Bottom of the 7th. Dotson would come in to pitch, and after walking Gaddis, Brandon Nations would finish off his impressive day with the walk-off single.

Game MVP Nations would finish the game 3-4 with a double and 4 RBI. Cole Gaddis walked twice and added a double with a run scored. Wes Hustead picked up the win for Malakoff, going 2 innings and giving up zero runs on 1 hit. Hustead did not walk a batter and he struck out 3 batters. Nash Daniel was 1-3 with 2 RBI and a double in the losing effort.