Hummel homer lifts Jay

PORTLAND — Someone forgot to tell the Patriots they’re not a power hitting team.

Adam Homan started to disprove the theory last week with a three-homer game against Fort Recovery. Chris Myers and Trent Bailey added two more Monday against Marion, but that was all just a prelude to Wednesday evening’s barrage.

Jay County exploded with four home runs, including a sixth-inning game-winner from Cameron Hummel, to stay unbeaten with a 7-6 victory over the Wapahani Raiders.

“I wish I had the answer to that,” said Patriot coach Lea Selvey of the recent power surge. “Yesterday in batting practice (Hummel) hit the ball really well.

“The one thing about this group — we found out this summer — is that there’s no quit in them. They fight back, and they don’t seem to get rattled. That’s a good characteristic to have.”

They needed to fight through another tough game against Wapahani, two days after overcoming a seven-run deficit for a 10-8 victory against Marion. Jay County (5-0) never trailed against the Raiders, but never extended a big lead and Wapahani tied the game in the sixth inning because of a pair of Patriot errors.

The Raiders (2-4) even seemed to have some mojo working when right fielder Ryan Granger made a spectacular diving catch in right-center field to rob Heath Williams of at least a double. That grab was the second out in the bottom of the sixth, and left Hummel to try to reclaim the lead for his team.

Already the owner of a double and two triples in the contest, Hummel didn’t leave any room for doubt. He hit a rocket off of Wapahani reliever Eric Van Matre, and there was no question where the ball was headed.

Soaring over the wall in left field, Hummel’s first home run of the year gave Class 3A No. 9 Jay County a 7-6 lead. Mike Smith entered in the seventh inning and retired the side in order to preserve the victory.

Hummel had a tremendous day, going 4-for-4 with four runs and an RBI.

“I was feeling good today,” said Hummel. “We worked all day yesterday on hitting.

“When I came up to bat (in the sixth inning), I knew all he had to do was give me a pitch and I was going to hit it. I didn’t know it was going to go out, but I knew I was going to hit it.”

Hummel wasn’t the only player hammering the ball for the Patriots. Also knocking home runs were seniors Nick Timmerman and Erich Zielinski, and junior Heath Williams.

Timmerman’s shot came with Hummel on base in the first inning, giving Jay County an early 2-0 lead. Zielinski hit a solo shot for his first career homer in the fourth inning, breaking a 3-3 tie.

Williams followed with his solo shot two batters later, and Hummel tripled and scored on an Adam Homan single to complete the three-run inning. Wapahani scored twice in the fifth and once in the sixth off Patriot reliever Trent Bailey before Hummel gave Jay County the win.

Zielinski followed Hummel as the only other Patriot with multiple hits, going 2-for-3. Homan and Timmerman each had a pair of RBIs.

“I was half way to second when I was aware it went over,” said Zielinski of his home run. “It felt pretty good.”

And even better because Zielinski has missed each of the last two baseball seasons because of injuries.

“It’s great,” he said. “It’s great to play with my fiends, and it’s great to be back. (Designated hitter) or second base, I just want to be a part of all this.”

Bailey picked up his first win of the year, allowing three runs — two earned — on two hits. He struck out two batters in two innings of work.

Van Matre took the loss in relief of Bryant Cook. After starting the game in left field, the only hit he allowed was the game-winning home run to Hummel.

Jay County will try to continue its perfect run when it opens the Olympic Athletic Conference season Saturday. It will play in double-header action against Connersville at 11 a.m.[[In-content Ad]]