Baseball: Molnar lifts Indy over Summit; Page cruises past Centennial

Sam Molnar launched a line drive single to left field to drive in the game-winner as Independence held off Summit 7-6 to stay alive in the District 11-AAA tournament Tuesday at Brentwood.

Molnar connected on the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the eighth to collect the walk-off hit and score Shawn Wallwork, who had advanced on an error and moved to second thanks to Robert Hassell’s walk with one out.

“Sam had some good at bats. He was clutch,” Independence coach Mike McLaury said. “We gave them opportunities in the last innings, though, and next thing you know they tied the ball game up. I’m proud of the guys for hanging in there.”

Molnar went 2-for-5. Wallwork, Dillan Saunders and Preston Hines all added multiple hits for Independence, which advanced to face Page in another elimination game Wednesday afternoon. The Patriots dispatched Centennial Tuesday to stay alive in tournament play. The Independence-Page winner will advance to face Ravenwood for a regional berth and a shot at the district title.

“I really don’t know what to expect,” McLaury said, adding his team didn’t hit the “panic button” after falling to Centennial in the first round. “Hopefully we come out swinging the bats. I really don’t think we have hit our stride offensively yet.”

Noah Haynie added two RBIs for the Eagles. Chayton Gray started for Indy on the mound, surrendering four earned runs on three hits with two strikeouts and five walks. Jacob Nell picked up the win, throwing 17 strikes on 25 pitches with just one hit allowed.

The Spartans trailed 6-2 entering the seventh, but plated four in the top of the frame to knot the contest.

Davis Jackson provided the tying runs with a two-out single to score Colton Jordan and Chris McElvain.

Cade Lacoste added a 2-for-4 performance with two RBIs for Summit. The Spartans were out-hit 12-5 in the contest and ended the season with an 18-12 record.

Page 10, Centennial 0, 5 innings

The Patriots were swinging early and used a five-run third inning to take control and move on in district consolation play Tuesday at Centennial.

Tyler Vernon allowed just three hits over five innings for Page, striking out four with one walk. Centennial tried five different pitchers against the Patriots, but couldn’t slow the Page bats.

Ben Pickman led the way going 3-for-4, while Brooks Rainwater, Christian Tidmore and Ronnie Caricofe added multiple hits. The Patriots collected 14 hits.

Centennial closed the season 12-19 overall.