LAURINBURG — It took nine innings, but the Fighting Scots baseball team found a way to live to play another day. Some risky, but strategic moves by head coach Chad Hill helped the Scots down Lumberton 3-2 in nine innings to advance to the second round of the Southeastern conference tournament.

The win allows the Scots a shot at redemption against the regular season conference champions — the Purnell Swett Rams.

Before the Scots could prepare for Purnell they had to find a way to end their marathon game with the Pirates. In the bottom of the ninth inning Hill opted to replace right fielder Davon Ratliffe at the plate with junior Tyler Snipes. Snipes connected with a hit back up the middle to put a runner on base for the Scots.

Hill then called time to reinsert Ratliffe has a base runner. Catcher Trey Armstrong was hit by a pitch to give the Scots two runners on and zero outs. Hill then asked for a courtesy runner for Armstrong and put in sophomore Zac Phillips. First baseman Austin Norton then came to the plate — Norton had a solo home run in the fifth inning to tie the game at 2-2 — and took his at bat to a full count. Norton then hit a line drive double to the right-center-field wall to score Ratliffe from second to end the game and give the Scots the 3-2 victory.

Ratliffe hesitated at second base thinking the ball might be caught and he would have to tag up. Once the ball hit the ground Ratliffe took off like a rocket for home. The Scots other run came from solo home run off the bat of senior Donta Green.

Along with hitting the game-winner and a home run, Norton found himself on the mound to close out the game. The sophomore threw the final two innings allowed zero runs and no hits with two strikeouts.

Norton was the fifth pitcher to take the mound for the Scots as starter Daly Marcano reached his pitch limit after three innings. Marcano allowed one run off one hit and picked up three strikeouts. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association implemented pitch counts before the start of the season, and if Marcano had thrown more than 30 pitches he would have required a day of rest before being allowed to throw again. With the Scots facing Purnell on Wednesday, Hill had to make the decision whether or not to pull Marcano to save him for their game against the Rams.

Hill pulled Marcano and put in senior Justin Bowers — since fellow starting pitcher Matthew Hyatt is out with an injury. Bowers threw two innings before reaching his pitch limit allowing one run off one with two errors, two walks and two strikeouts. After pulling Bowers, to save him for Wednesday’s game as well, Hill rolled the dice and put in freshman pitcher Jackson Purcell.

Purcell came in for the final out of the sixth inning and threw all of the seventh inning. The freshman allowed zero runs off one hit while his defense backed him up with a fly out to right, an infield ground out and a force out at second.

The Scots traveled to Pembroke on Wednesday for the second round of the Southeastern conference tournament with a chip on their shoulders. When the two teams met during the regular season, Purnell Swett stunned the undefeated Scots by handing them back-to-back losses to start conference play. The Rams won the first meeting on March 21, 6-2 before handing the Scots a 2-1 loss three days later.

The winner of Wednesday’s game will go on to face the winner of the Richmond/Pinecrest game on Friday for the SEC tournament championship.

Amber Hatten can be reached at 910-506-3170.

Amber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange Fighting Scots right fielder Davon Ratliffe scored the winning run on Tuesday in the bottom of the ninth inning against Lumberton to help the Scots advance to the second round of the Southeastern conference tournament with a 3-2 victory.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_IMG_9349.jpgAmber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange Fighting Scots right fielder Davon Ratliffe scored the winning run on Tuesday in the bottom of the ninth inning against Lumberton to help the Scots advance to the second round of the Southeastern conference tournament with a 3-2 victory.
Pick up 3-2 win to advance to second round of the SEC tournament

By Amber Hatten

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Southeastern Baseball Tournament (All games set for 7 p.m.)

Tuesday, May 2

No. 4 Scotland, 3 vs. No. 5 Lumberton, 2

No. 3 Richmond, 10 vs. No. 6 Hoke, 0

Wednesday, May 3

No. 4 Scotland at No. 1 Purnell Swett

No. 3 Richmond at No. 2 Pinecrest

Friday, May 5

SEC Championship (Higher seeded team will host)