Travious Williams (31) stands clear as Rodric Woodard slides home. (Photo/Joe Seibles)
WINNSBORO (March 1, 2017) – The Griffins edged out the Great Falls Red Devils 2-0 in a tight pitcher’s duel on day two of the Fairfield Central Preseason Tournament.
Stanley McManus, the Griffins’ starting pitcher, overwhelmed the Red Devils much of the game. He pitched all five innings of the pre-season contest, struck out eight and only allowed one base on balls.
“Of course we won; that’s the big thing,” Griffins’ head coach Scotty Dean said. “Monk (McManus), on the mound did a good job. He had one walk and eight strikeouts in a five inning game. I’m cool with that.”
McManus’ Great Fall’s counterpart Koby Ruff also had a strong showing on the mound. He only allowed two hits in four innings pitched. He rang up eight batters and allowed one earned run, but his effort was hampered by a lack of offensive support.
“We didn’t hit the ball like I wanted,” Dean said. “That guy they had pitching, a lefty, threw strikes and ball movement was all over the place. We still managed to manufacture a couple runs, enough to win. Last night’s game was a little more encouraging at the plate. We had nine hits last night, we only had three strikeouts. I think we’ve got a really good ball club, we just didn’t hit tonight.”
Rodric Woodard notched the first run of the game by stealing home while the Red Devil fielders were attempting to tag out Antonio Jackson along the first base line.
Great Falls got a runner on base with two outs in the first inning, but McManus struck out the next batter to quell that rally. A double play cost the Red Devils another scoring opportunity in the second, then in the third inning they stranded two more base runners.
The Griffins’ bats took advantage of their opportunities in the bottom of third. The first two hitters were beaned by pitches, which set the table for Jackson’s RBI-single that gave the Griffins a 2-0 edge.
More blown opportunities plagued Great Falls in the fourth. They had a runner tagged out at second and left another stranded another on first.
Landon Rodriguez came in to pinch hit for Great Falls with two outs in the top of the fifth, and the team needed a hit to stay alive. Rodriguez did just that and knocked in a double, but just a few pitches later he was tagged out at third to end the game.
GF: 0-0-0-0-0 – 0
FC: 1-0-1-0-X – 2
Pitching: FC – Stanley McManus (W), 5IP, 5H, 0R, 0ER, BB, 8K. GF – Koby Ruff (L), 4IP, 2H, 2R, 2ER, 2HB, 0BB, 8K.
Hitting: 1B – Rodric Woodard, Antonio Jackson (FC); Koby Ruff, Connor Henson, Cody Spires Josh Lewis (GF). 2B – Landon Rodriguez (GF).
LOB: FC-2, GF-4.
