Plant City Holds Off Wharton Rally For 2-1 Victory

The Wharton Wildcats hosted the Plant City Raiders Tuesday night in a pitching duel among several pitchers from both sides. The Raiders jumped out to a two-run lead and held off a late rally from the Wildcats the secure the 2-1, non-district victory.

The Raiders (13-6) got all of their offense in the fifth inning. After advancing into scoring position on a passed ball, Nick Palestrini came around to score on an error on the Wildcats’ infield that also allowed Austin Eldrige to move to second. Eldrige moved over to third on a bunt single from Troy DeVault and scored on a throwing error later in the play to give the Raiders a 2-0 lead.

Parker Messick started the game for the Raiders and went three innings, allowing just one hit and striking out one in a no-decision. Billy McKay came in to pitch the next three innings, allowing two hits and a run, while striking out five.

The Wildcats (10-6) finally got on the board in the sixth when Drew Ehrhard came around to score on a wild pitch to pull to within one. Jonathan Baughman started the game for the Wildcats and did his part, turning in four outstanding innings. Baughman threw 66 pitches, allowing one hit, no runs, and striking out eight in a no-decision.

With the lead heading into the seventh, the Raiders turned to Jarrett Joyner to close out the game. Joyner threw 19 pitches, allowing no hits or runs, and he struck out a batter en-route to the save. The win is the Raiders second victory in a row.

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