The Lincoln baseball team has been on fire as of late and even the rainy weather that has pounded North central West Virginia couldn’t stop the Cougars.
Lincoln head coach, Greg Smith, has done a masterful job with his squad all season long, but he picked the perfect time for the best baseball of the season to be played by his team. A three-win week has propelled the Cougars to their first trip to the state tournament for the first time since 2009.
Class AA regional action opened for Lincoln on Monday when they hosted Berkeley Springs. The Cougars laid the lumber, scoring five runs in the bottom of the first inning en route to a 12 to nothing victory. Alex Greene was two for two with a pair of home runs and six runs batted in. Colton Edwards was two for two with a double and three runs scored. Max Abruzzino was one for two with a double. On the mound, Jacob Bart had four innings of scoreless ball, allowing one hit while striking out six batters.
The win would set up a clash with inter-county opponent South Harrison. The Hawks edged Petersburg two to one behind the pitching of Jacob Watts. Watts was dominant, going the distance and striking out 13 Viking batters.
Tuesday night in Shinnston, South Harrison and Lincoln played a pivotal contest. The winner would be in the driver’s seat while the loser would be just one game from elimination.
For a second consecutive postseason game, the Cougars would provide key first inning run production. A pair of homers helped the home team to a quick four to nothing lead. Edwards started off the bottom of the first with a dinger and Greene sent a pitch over the fence for his third homer in two games. Greene was once again perfect at the plate, going three for three with three RBIs. Anthony Belcastro was two for three with a tripe and a pair of runs scored. Jacob Holt was two for three with a run scored. Jacob Holt was two for three with a run scored. A. J. Bart went the distance on the hill in the six to two win.
For South Harrison, Watts was the only multi-hit performer, going two for two with a homer and a pair of RBIs.
Lincoln would finally get a day off as Petersburg and South Harrison would lock up on Wednesday. The Vikings would edge the hawks four to three and advance to face the Cougars on Thursday. With the rains settling in throughout the area. Lincoln would be forced to lose their home field advantage as the tilt was moved to the all-weather field at Frank Loria in Nutter Fort.
The extra day of rest allowed Smith to give the ball back to Jacob Bart. Bart pitched a gem, scattering four hits and striking out nine Vikings on the way to a four to nothing triumph.
Lincoln would plate single runs in the second, third, fifth, and sixth inning. Christopher Mazzei paced the offensive attack, going two for three with a run batted in.
The win pushed the Cougars’ record to 21 and 12 and gives them their longest winning streak of the season at five. During this stretch, they have dominated opponents, outsourcing them 35 to seven. Congratulations and good luck to the Cougars as they now compete for a Class AA crown!
That will do it for now. Until next week . . . take care and God Bless!!!
