Northview Comes Back For 5-4 Win Over Pine Forest

Northview’s John Chivington scores one of his three runs on the night. [Photo courtesy of Mike Neese]

The Northview Chiefs haven gotten used to playing in close games this season, as seven of their first ten contests have come right down to the wire. That was again the case on Thursday night in a home tilt against the Pine Forest Eagles, and behind a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth Northview claimed a close, 5-4 home victory.

Senior Bailey Wilson drove in the winning run on an infield ground out that scored Zach Payne.

After surrendering the lead in the top of the fifth, the Chiefs (5-4) answered right back as the lead changed hands for the fourth and final time. John Chivington was hit by a pitch and Payne followed by lining a single to right field. Seth Killam then dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners, and Chivington scored to tie things up following an error. After a ground out back to the pitcher advanced Killam, Wilson got a slow infield grounder that allowed Payne to score.

Beside scoring the winning run, Payne also led the offense with a 2-for-4 showing at the dish. He has now hit in six straight ball games.

Chivington was 1-for-2 with an RBI and also scored three times, driving in Quentin Sampson in the first before scoring on an RBI from Killam that put Northview up 2-0 early on. Chivington walked and scored on a wild pitch that increased the lead in the third.

[Photo courtesy of Mike Neese]

The Eagles (3-5) began to rally back with two runs in the fourth. Chandler Bodree reached on an error and James Howard ripped a single past the shortstop, and Riley White drove in both base runners with an RBI double on a hard grounder to left field.

Pine Forest then went in front in the fifth. Connor Henderson walked and advanced on a wild pitch, and Timmy Williams then singled to drive Henderson home. Nolan Rigby dropped down a sacrifice bunt that moved Williams into scoring position, and a base hit to center field off the bat of Marlin Peacock then drove him home for the lead.

Bailey Wilson earned the win for Northview, after throwing two innings in relief of starter Josh Smith. Smith struck out seven over four innings, and Wilson fanned three. Josh Neese tossed a perfect seventh inning to preserve the win and earn himself the save.

The two teams will meet again at the very end of the regular season, when Pine Forest will serve as the host.

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