WASHBURN DRIVES IN SIX, BEARCATS WIN IN FIVE

A day after throwing six shutout innings, Jace Washburn drove in six runs, including four coming on a walk off grand slam that gave the Bearcats a 16-4 win over Danville in five innings.

Washburn, a sophomore, hit one of three home runs on the day for the Bearcats (6-4, 4-0 Conference 3A-4) .
Also hitting his first on the season was Peyton Tatum and hitting his second was David Hicks.

While Washburn’s first career homer ended it, it was Tatum’s two run shot in the third that gave the Bearcats a 6-4 lead.

Dax Goff led of the Bearcat third with a double and trotted home when Tatum delivered the long ball for the lead.

He had surrendered four runs in the first two innings but by then Brooks Herrera (2-2) was cruising, in the midst of a setting down seven straight.

An inning later Hicks led off with a home run and Conner Lentz and Herrera followed with singles. A sacrifice bunt by Rhett Nietert moved the runners up but resulted in Goff drawing his second intentional walk of the season to fill the bases.

A sacrifice fly by Tatum gave him a three RBI day and another run scored on a wild pitch to make it 9-4.

Danville put two aboard via a single and a walk -- Nietert turned in a web gem to prevent another (shown) -- but Herrera ended the top of the fifth with his ninth strikeout on his 106th pitch. The senior was done for the day on the mound, but as it turned out, it would be a complete game.

With one away in the bottom of the fifth Hicks singled for his second hit and Lentz worked a walk. A single by Herrera made it 10-4 and another by Nietert made it 12-4.

After both Goff and Tatum were hit by pitches the bases were full but an infield fly had Danville within an out of extending the game. Washburn saw to it that it wouldn’t with the grand slam to left.

Danville had led 2-0 after a half inning, getting a single after loading the bases on a pair of walks and a hit batter against Herrera.

With two down in the bottom of the first Goff worked a walk. Tatum appeared to line out softly but was awarded first base due to catcher’s interference.

Dunn Daniel loaded the bases with a single and a run scored on a wild pitch before Washburn doubled home two to make it 3-2. Matt O’Bar singled home another run for a 4-2 lead.

Getting three hits and a walk after two were down Danville tied it in the second at 4-4.

The Bearcats are scheduled to travel to Two Rivers on Friday.