Matthew Patton’s Big Day Propels West Blocton Varsity Tigers Past Verbena
By Sheila Cook
Matthew Patton collected four hits in four at bats, as West Blocton Varsity Tigers defeated Verbena 8-2 on Friday. Patton doubled in the fifth inning, doubled in the second inning, singled in the fourth inning, and singled in the seventh inning. Tyler Martin, Cooper Deerman, and Patton at the bottom of West Blocton Varsity Tigers’ lineup combined for six of the team’s 10 hits in their victory. They scored two runs and drove in two. A single by #24 put Verbena on the board in the bottom of the first. Hunter Spencer hit into a fielder’s choice, which helped West Blocton Varsity Tigers tie the game at one in the top of the third. West Blocton Varsity Tigers took the lead in the top of the fourth. Martin singled, scoring one run, to give West Blocton Varsity Tigers the upper hand, 2-1. Jackson Dial stepped on the mound first for West Blocton Varsity Tigers. The right-handed pitcher surrendered eight hits and two runs (one earned) over seven innings, striking out six and walking one. #32 opened the game for Verbena. The pitcher gave up eight hits and seven runs over five innings, striking out four and walking three. West Blocton Varsity Tigers piled up 10 hits in the game. Spencer drove the middle of the lineup, leading West Blocton Varsity Tigers with three runs batted in. The second baseman went 2-for-4 on the day. Martin collected two hits for West Blocton Varsity Tigers in four at bats. Dial, Caden Fancher, Martin, and Patton each stole multiple bases for West Blocton Varsity Tigers. West Blocton Varsity Tigers ran wild on the base paths, accumulating 13 stolen bases for the game. West Blocton Varsity Tigers were sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Martin had the most chances in the field with seven. #24 and #12 were tough to handle back-to-back in the lineup, as each drove in one run for Verbena. #24, #12, and #11 each collected two hits for Verbena. Verbena turned one double play in the game.
