DAGSBORO — A four-run seventh inning capped a come-from-behind 5-4 win for sixth-seeded Indian River (17-4) over 11th-seeded Milford in the first round of the Delaware High School Baseball Tournament.
“I think [the win] will give us momentum,” IR coach Howard Smack said. “We needed momentum because we were down on ourselves for awhile there after the Laurel loss [the third straight to end the regular season].”
Allowing no hits until the bottom of the sixth inning, the Bucs (16-5) appeared well on their way to upsetting the Indians and earning a berth in the second round. But after Indian River managed a run in the inning, they were determined to make the comeback.
After an error and two walks to start the bottom of the seventh inning, Bucs pitcher Jordan Elliott handed the ball over to Matt Faulkner to get out of the jam.
No. 9 batter Jacob Balasus knocked an RBI single to cut the lead to 4-2. Then the Indians tied the game when Matt McDowell scored on a passed ball and Nick Kmetz followed two pitches later on a wild pitch.
After a walk to Sean Lewis, the stage was set for Indian River starting pitcher Trevor Abbott. He took advantage, blasting an inside pitch over the left fielder’s head to enable the game-winning run to score.
“There’s nothing greater than knowing that you can dictate how the game is going to end,” said Abbott, who struck out seven and walked five in five innings of work.
Luis Barrientos claimed the win with two hitless innings of relief, allowing one run.
IR will play Dickinson in the quarterfinals Tuesday.
Indian River 5, Milford 4
Milford 300 001 0 — 4 4 1
Indian River 000 001 4 — 5 4 2
M-Elliott, Faulkner (7) and Millman. IR-Abbott, Barrientos (6) and Wilkinson. W-Barrientos. L-Faulkner.
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