Just what the doctor ordered.That was the reaction by Vikings head baseball coach Benny Wellborn following his team's convincing 12-1 win in five innings over the Cloudland Highlanders on Tuesday afternoon in Roan Mountain.
Having just lost a heartbreaking 6-5 game at Freedom on Monday, Avery turned around for the second half of back-to-back games as they took on the 'Landers. The Vikings sent senior right-hander Adam Pate to the hill as the 'Landers countered with Seth Miller.
Avery began Tuesday's game with a similar issue as the day before, stranding two runners on base in the top of the first. The 'Landers were retired 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning, and the Vikings offense went to work in the top of the second. Avery tallied eight runs on four hits in the top of the second inning off Miller and reliever Cody Bullwinkle. Cloudland hurt its cause by issuing four walks in the inning and also hitting a batter, while the highlight of the inning was a three-run homer to right field by shortstop Brooks Oakley.
Cloudland was unable to answer the Avery rally with any runs in the bottom of the frame, and Avery added five insurance runs in the top of third, keyed by a two-run double by Adam Pate and a two-run single from pinch-hitter Jon Clark.
Starting pitcher Adam Pate made the lead stand up, as he gave up a single Cloudland as left fielder Jacob McKinney singled in the bottom of the third inning and came around to score on a base hit from shortstop Michael Hyden. It was all the 'Landers could muster off the tough hurler as Avery took the victory after five innings due to the ten-run rule."Today was just what the doctor ordered. We've been doing a lot of things right and a few things wrong, and today we had pretty much a complete ballgame," Vikings head coach Benny Wellborn remarked after the win. "It's what the kids needed and what we needed as a team. I couldn't be happier for them. They played loose today and that was a big key."
Pate pitched a complete game gem for the Big Red, as he surrendered one earned run on three hits, with two walks and six strikeouts. Miller, Bullwinkle, and Hyden each saw work on the mound for Cloudland in the contest.
"Anytime you get a complete game out of somebody it does nothing but help the staff, especially when you have three games a week. It was good to see Adam throwing strikes. We've been averaging seven walks per game which has put us in a difficult position to win games," Coach Wellborn added. "We only gave up a couple of walks today and when they put the ball in play we made plays, which is absolutely vital for our staff and does nothing but help us down the road."
Pate and catcher Steven Daniels each had a pair of hits in the game. In all, the top four hitters in the Viking lineup drew six walks and combined to score eight runs in the victory.
Avery travels to Hendersonville for a key 1A conference contest this Friday.
