Nigel Harris takes a turn around first base after hitting a ball in the outfield in a game from last month (KEIZERTIMES/Matt Rawlings).
The McNary baseball squad could only muster five hits for the game as they fell by a score of 3-2 to Grant in their non-conference finale on Wednesday, April 3.
Both Alex Tavera and Jacob Jackson led the Celtics with two hits apiece.
McNary ace David Allen had his best start of the season in this one as he went 5.2 innings and gave up just four hits and no earned runs. But the senior right-hander fell victim to five Celtic errors, which allowed all three of Grant’s runs to be unearned.
Grant went on top 1-0 in the top of the first on a throwing error by McNary catcher Ty Covalt trying to throw out a runner at third base.
The Generals went up 2-0 in the following frame on another defensive miscue by the Celtics.
After coming up empty on offense in the first three innings, McNary responded with a run in the bottom of the fourth to cut the lead to one.
Allen began the frame with a walk, then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Allen wound up stealing third moments later, then came in to score on an RBI-groundout by Devon Bedoya.
McNary tied the game in the bottom of the fifth on another RBI-groundout, this time, coming from Jackson, who hit into a fielder’s choice.
But in the top of the sixth, after surrendering a leadoff walk, Allen tried to pickoff the runner at first and threw the ball into right field, allowing Grant’s Will Bachman to advance to third.
Bachman eventually scored on a single to right field, giving Grant the 3-2 edge.
The Celtics, though, had a golden opportunity to either tie or win the game in the bottom of the seventh.
Tavera and Jamison Martin each reached on a free pass and Jackson got on base via error, which loaded up the bases with one out for Covalt, who bats cleanup for the Celtics.
Covalt hit a fly ball to right field and Martin tried to tag up from third on the catch, but ended up being caught between bases and was doubled up at third, effectively ending the game.