Williams goes deep again vs. Winchester (04/08/04)

WINCHESTER — Who would have thought Heath Williams would have more home runs than stolen bases after the first two games of the baseball season?

Not even the 5-foot-6-inch senior shortstop would’ve guessed his power would be the story over his speed, but that has been the case. Williams hit his second homer in two games this season Wednesday, helping the visiting Jay County Patriots to a 5-3 victory over the Winchester Golden Falcons.

“I never would have dreamed of that,” said Williams, who had 23 stolen bases last year and has already matched his 2003 home run total. “It’s surprising, but it’s fine with me.

“We hit the weight room harder (this year). I’m getting waist-high pitches and just driving it. The swing feels about as good as its felt.”

Williams hit a tie-breaking home run to lead off the fifth inning against the Golden Falcons (0-2), putting the Patriots up 3-2. It came on the heels of his lead-off homer a night earlier in the first at bat of the regular season for Jay County in a 4-1 loss to Adams Central.

But, against Winchester Mike Alberson wasted no time in backing up his fellow senior. The catcher followed Williams’ blast to left-center with a rocket of his own over the fence in left field for back-to-back home runs.

“It was kind of unexpected,” said Alberson of his first career dinger. “I was just hoping to get on and keep the inning going. I was sitting fastball, and he grooved one about belt-high, and I just got ahold of it I guess.”

Winchester pulled within one in the sixth inning on a double by Thad Blunk and an RBI single from Matt Osbron, but that was as close as it would get.

The Patriots (1-1) added an insurance run for the final margin after Williams singled to start the seventh inning. He advanced to third on an errant pick-off try by Blunk, and scored on a wild pitch.

Williams finished 2-for-3 with three runs and an RBI, and Alberson had was 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Josh Shatto had a single and an RBI, and Mike Smith had the only other hit for Jay County.

“We had a couple of mistakes — hit batsmen and a couple walks — and they moved runners very well,” said Winchester coach Steve McCoy. “We had a couple of passed balls with guys on third base, and then of course the two home runs were big.”

Smith, the Jay County starting pitcher, got much better support from his defense than Shatto had a night earlier. The sophomore hurler was saddled with three unearned runs.

“I just think last night was first game jitters,” said Alberson, pointing out the multitude of Patriots who were seeing their first varsity action. “I think we just needed to get a game under our belts and relax a little bit.”

Alberson was responsible for two of the biggest plays of the game himself.

In the third inning Winchester lead-off hitter Scott Schwieterman was on third base with one out and a run already in after the lone Jay County error of the contest. But Alberson silenced the possible rally, gunning down Schwieterman as he strayed too far off of third base.

In the sixth inning Blunk knocked a double to left field, and Matt Osborn followed with a one-out single to left. Adam Brandt came up firing to the plate, but Alberson recognized that he probably wouldn’t be able to get Blunk.

He cut off the throw several fee in front of the plate and then fired to Trent Bailey at second, catching Osborn — the potential tying run — trying to get an extra base.

In all, the defense helped Smith limit Winchester’s eight hits to just three runs — two earned. The senior starter went the distance, striking out three and walking two in seven innings.

“It was a nice pitching performance,” said Selvey, “and I thought Mike Alberson made two really big heads-up plays to cut down runs for them.

“(Smith threw about 70 pitches), and that’s a pretty good total. He was getting ground balls, and as long as we play defense (we’re OK).”

Jay County will host Mississinewa Saturday at 11 a.m.

Blunk took the loss for the Golden Falcons Wednesday, allowing five runs — four earned — in seven innings. He gave up five hits while striking out four and walking three.

He also had a pair of hits, including a double, a run and an RBI in the defeat. Tilmon Clark went 2-for-3.

Osborn had a hit and an RBI, and Jed Norton added a hit and a run scored.[[In-content Ad]]