Taking 7 for the Team
By Jesse Newell
Originally published 01:39 p.m., June 27, 2008
Updated 01:39 p.m., June 27, 2008
Emporia left fielder Brandon Little rounds third on his way home off of a one RBI double by Derrick Krouse during Emporia's 14-6 win over the Topeka Capitols Thursday, June 26.
Harrison Stone was able to get the job done, even if it wasn’t the way he planned it in his head.
Stone had thoughts of a game-ending hit as he walked to the plate in the sixth inning of the Emporia AAAs’ game against the Topeka Capitals.
With the bases loaded, though, the centerfielder was hit by a pitch for the third time, forcing in a run and completing Emporia’s 14-6 run-rule victory over Topeka.
“I guess I’m a target,” Stone said with a smile. “I got up there and I said, ‘I hope he doesn’t (hit me). I want to hit,’ but he did anyway.”
Emporia right fielder Trevor Turney loses his hat and his footing while catching a fly ball during Emporia's 14-6 win over the Topeka Capitals on Thursday.
The teams’ second game was canceled because of lightning in the bottom of the third inning. Topeka was leading at the time, 4-2.
Stone’s hit-by-pitch turned out to be an appropriate ending to Game One — a contest in which Emporia made the most of the opportunities it was given.
The AAAs walked seven times and also were hit by seven pitches.
It was a welcome sight for coach Aaron Lechien, who was known during his playing days as someone who was willing to sacrifice getting hit to give his team a baserunner.
“I told these guys a long time ago that it’d be nice if they took on the attitude of their coach. Hopefully that’s a good thing,” Lechien said. “It’s a free base just like a hit. That’s how you create big innings.”
The key stretch for Emporia came in the bottom of the first after Topeka scored three in the top of the inning.
The AAAs batted around in a seven-run rally, chasing Topeka starter Josh Vossen after just 2/3 of an inning.
Taylor Clark started with a walk, and after Jared Krause was hit by a pitch, Zach Gifford moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt.
Michael Knight, Dylan Smith and Cameron Smith all followed with singles, and after Stone and Brandon Little were hit by pitches, Clark singled and Krause doubled to make it 7-3 Emporia.
“We’ve always been a team that could hit, but putting it together has been the struggle,” Stone said. “Tonight, we put it together, and I was impressed.”
Emporia added three more in the third.
Clark started off with a walk, and Krause and Knight both followed with doubles to left.
Dylan Smith later added an RBI single to bring in Knight.
The AAAs enforced the run-rule with two more in the sixth without the benefit of a hit.
Clark, Knight and Cameron Smith all walked, while Gifford and Stone were hit by pitches.
Dylan Smith also added a sacrifice fly.
Clark and Stone were the catalysts for Emporia’s offense, as both reached base in every plate appearance.
Clark was 1-for-1 with four walks, three stolen bases and three runs scored, while Stone was 2-for-2 with three hit-by-pitches and two runs scored.
“The whole goal is to get to first base — that way your teammates can drive you in,” Stone said. “Whenever you do it, it makes the game a lot easier. Taking three balls, that’s fine. It doesn’t hurt — only for a little bit.”
Krause added a pair of doubles, while Knight contributed four RBI.
Emporia also played well defensively, committing just one error — and that came on the first play of the game.
Thursday at Soden’s Grove
Game One
Emporia AAAs 14, Topeka Capitals 6
Topeka 310 200 X — 6 8 3
Emporia AAAs 703 202 X — 14 11 1
W — Cameron Smith. L — Josh Vossen.
2B — Topeka: Garrett Brower, J. Vossen, Trevor Worthington; Emporia: Jared Krause 2, Michael Knight. SB — Topeka: Kel Gill; Emporia: Taylor Clark 3, Zach Gifford, Knight 2, Harrison Stone. Emporia AAA highlights — Jared Krause 2-4, 2 2B, RBI, 2R; Taylor Clark 1-1, 4 BB, 3 SB, 2 RBI, 3R; Michael Knight 2-3, 2B, 2 SB, 4 RBI, 2 R; Harrison Stone 2-2, SB, 3 HBP, RBI, 2 R.
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