Preston Taylor’s Two-Run Homer In The 7th Inning Leads White County In Sweep of Cumberland County, 7-5

By Michael Lindsay

The White County Warriors needed some late-game heroics at Cumberland County on Tuesday as a Preston Taylor two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning secured a 7-5 victory for the Warriors.

White County defeated the Jets by identical 7-5 margins on Monday and Tuesday to secure the District 7-3A sweep.

Warrior shortstop Austin Pionke also went yard as he hit a two-run home run in the top of the first inning as part of a 2-4 effort at the plate. Third baseman Cole Gentry went 3-4 with a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base in the win.

Nick Nelson earned the win for White County as he struck out two batters while surrendering 3 hits in 4 and 1/3 innings.

White County led 3-0 after two innings before the Jets scored three runs in the bottom of the third to tie the game at 3-3. The Warriors retook the lead in the top of the sixth inning as a Kaden Seibers sacrifice fly scored Griffin Adams, giving White County a 4-3 advantage.

Cumberland County went to work in the bottom of the sixth inning as a Kellen Burnett bunt single scored Shaeffer Sitton to tie the game at 4-4. The Jets took their first lead of the contest at 5-4 on the ensuing at-bat as a Kaleb Hawn sacrifice fly scored Burnett.

White County opened the top of the seventh inning with a strikeout before Pionke and Clay Brewington were able to reach safely, giving Taylor two runners on with one out.

Pionke stole third before an errant throw by the Jets allowed him to reach home safely to tie the game at 5-5. The tie lasted one pitch as Taylor sent the next ball over the center field fence for a two-run home run, giving White County a 7-5 lead.

Cumberland County got the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the seventh, but Pionke fielded the final out of the contest to preserve White County’s 7-5 victory.

Up next for the Warriors is their district series with Stone Memorial beginning in Crossville next Monday. Cumberland County is scheduled to host Warren County on Thursday.