Ehrsham's Heads-Up Play Keys 7-Run Inning
(VIENNA, VA)--Two Liberty district foes battled Friday night at Madison High School. The Madison Warhawks (9-6) were able to come from behind to beat the W.T. Woodson Cavaliers (7-7). The Warhawks used a 7-run 6th inning to win the game 11-5. It was the Warhawks first win in 4 games.
Madison head coach Mark Gjormand shook up his lineup and it turned out to be the difference in the game. Madison featured 3 shortstops in the infield throughout the game, with Casey Turner playing third, Brig Tison at short, and TJ Ehrsham at second. Jesse Jeter took the mound for coach Gjormand after having missed some time this season due to an ankle injury.
Both Jeter and Gregory Whitaker for Woodson started on fire. Jeter struck out two Cavaliers in the first inning and then Whitaker was able to retire the Warthawks in order in the bottom of the first inning. In the top of the 2nd inning Robert McCloud roped a double into left center field and then later scored the first run of the game. Woodson would push one more run across and take a 2-0 lead. Not to be outdone Madison countered with a productive inning of its own. Designated hitter Ted Williams drove in a run with a single and trimmed the lead back to 2-1 after 2 complete innings.
Jeter's strike out of Sean Finnerty in the top of the 3rd inning gave him 5 for the game. The Cavaliers were retired in order and Madison would take advantage in their half of the inning. Jeter's strong pitching allowed coach Gjormand to be aggressive on the offensive side. A leadoff walk to TJ Ehrsham led to an RBI double for Kyle McIntyre, who later scored when Brig Tison reached on an error. Madison would push 3 runs across in the third and take a 4-2 lead.
The game went quietly until the top of the 5th inning, when Woodson was able to score 3 runs and re-take the lead 5-4. Three walks against Jesse Jeter led to the inning that saw Jacob Morley, Sean Finnerty, and Kirk Lewis cross home plate. After another inning and a half the Warhawks came alive in the bottom of the 6th inning to take the lead for good. After a groundout by Andrew Schrock, Casey Turner drilled a single into the outfield and reached second base when the left fielder over ran the ball. TJ Ehrsham would provide the play of the game; Ehrsham was struck out by Joseph Carleton, but the ball got away from the catcher and rolled all the way to the Warhawk dugout. Ehrsham took off from the batter's box and Turner would score from second as the Woodson catcher could not find the baseball. Turner crossed the plate to tie the game and Ehrsham would not stop until he had reached 3rd base. Untimely errors for the Cavaliers proved costly in the 6th inning, allowing 7 runs to cross the plate and give Madison the 11-5 lead. Madison simply used good hitting and base running to create the offensive explosion that won the game. Matt Zepp, who replaced Jesse Jeter after Jeter slipped on the mound and tweaked his ankle, was almost perfect in the 7th inning against Woodosn. Zepp struck out the side, and would not have allowed a base runner except for an error on the Warhawks.
Madison improved their position in the Liberty district and will play at Thomas Jefferson, and host Langley next week in their stretch run of games before the Liberty district tournament starts.
Chick-Fil-A Player of the Game
Madison: Junior Catcher Alex Jacquez: Jacquez reached base all four times he was up in the game. He drew two walks, had an RBI single, a double, and also scored two runs for the Warhawks. Jacquez also excelled behind the plate for Madison.
