By Staff
Nick Johnston, Hartselle Enquirer
HANCEVILLE – Even the left fielder couldn't find it.
The home run that Brewer's Tony Drinkard hit was so high and long, nobody in the bleachers could see it in the night sky, nor could either of the dugouts.
When the left field was reduced to throwing his arms up in disgust, the celebrating began. Drinkard had just given what was a lifeless Patriots baseball team a 3-2 lead in the top of the seventh inning, and preserved the win from the mound, as Brewer beat the Aggies 4-2 in the Hanceville Tournament Monday.
As of Monday, the Patriots were 3-2 on the season, riding a three-game win streak.
Brewer 4, Fairview 2
Monday
Tony Drinkard seemed only to get stronger as the game went on. However, Drinkard was nearly pulled in the first inning after a rocky start.
He walked the bases full then walked a run home. Brewer trailed 2-0 by the time Drinkard was able to get the Patriots out of the jam.
After his 40-pitch first inning, Drinkard settled down, as he allowed just one hit in the complete game effort. He struck out 17.
He finally received help from his offense when Samuel Mason ripped a double to lead off the fourth inning. Mason later scored on Drinkard's single. Drinkard finished the day with two hits and three RBIs.
The 2-1 score remained until Brewer's final at bat. Ryan Harvey delivered a pinch hit single to start the inning, prompting the Fairview coaching staff to pull starter Chad Knop.
It may have been the Aggies' worst mistake.
Fairview's Jeff Bryan entered the mound and delivered just four pitches before losing the game. Drinkard's home run knocked in Harvey for what proved to be the game winning runs. Josh Dickerson singled home Brian Parker later in the seventh for an insurance run.
See DRINKARD, B-3
Brewer 9, Dora 7
2/20/03
Brewer led 3-2 at the end of the first inning, but fell behind 7-3 by the fifth.
The Patriots were able to get the bats going in the bottom half of the fifth, scoring three runs. Brewer added three more in the sixth inning to win the game.
Josh Dickerson earned the win in relief. Dickerson pitched four and two-thirds innings, allowing just two hits.
Darrell Whitehead went 3 for 3 with a run scored, while Tony Parise went 3 for 4 with three runs scored. Jameson Pugh and Tony Drinkard each had two hits and scored one run apiece.
Samuel Mason, Josh Dickerson, Matt Eslick, Christian Region, Jarod Widner and Lyle Cardwell all had one hit each.
Brewer 8, Grissom 5
2/19/03
Brewer jumped out to an 8-0 lead and held off the Tigers for its first win of the season.
Wesley Stump earned the win from the mound with relief help from Samuel Mason.
Tony Parise went 3 for 4 with three runs scored and an RBI, while Mason, Tony Drinkard and Jameson Pugh all had two hits. Drinkard had two doubles.
Bob Jones 2, Brewer 0
2/18/03
Eric Zurowski hit a two-run homer for Bob Jones in the sixth inning to sink the Patriots 2-0.
Lyle Cardwell suffered the loss in relief, giving up three hits and two runs.
Samuel Mason went 2 for 4 with two singles, while Tony Parise went 1 for 3.
Butler 6, Brewer 4
2/17/03
The Patriots began the 2003 season with a 6-4 loss to Butler in the Butler Tournament.
Matt Anderson suffered the loss for Brewer, giving up three runs on three hits and striking out five.
Jared Widner, Tony Parise, Lyle Cardwell, Chris Carter, Tim Metzger, Josh Dickerson and Matt Eslick all had one single apiece.
* Coaches may send in baseball or softball stats via fax at 773-1953, or call them in to 773-6566.