Scott City baseball team delivers key hits in win over Oran

ORAN, Mo. -- Scott City coach Lance Amick has been preaching to his team all year about its lack of timely hitting.

The Rams responded Wednesday.

Scott City pounded three big hits in the decisive fifth inning and defeated host Oran 4-2 in a weather shortened five-inning game.

"We did have timely hitting," Amick said. "We haven't gotten that for awhile, but the last two games against Jackson and Oran kids have become more familiarized. They've experienced those key spots. We are fairly young but as the season goes on, hopefully the more games we play in the better we get."

The timely hitting came in the top of the fifth.

Scott City players gather at home plate to congratulate teammate Wyatt Martin (4) on a home run against Oran during the third inning Wednesday. (KRISTIN EBERTS ~ keberts@semissourian.com<B>)

The Rams made the most of it with nasty weather threatening to end the game after any pitch.

Justin Modglin led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a Landon Robert sacrifice fly. Rams pitcher Skylar Cobb then delivered the go-ahead base hit.

Cobb ripped a double down the line that scored Modglin and put the Rams ahead for good.

"I was just looking for a fastball," Cobb said. "Just tried to hit it with authority to the outfield."

Scott City (3-2) wasn't finished.

Junior Chris Limbaugh smashed a single that drove in Cobb to add an insurance run and make it 4-2.

The Rams struggled their first time through the lineup.

After Scott City's leadoff hitter reached base on an error to start the game, Oran hurler Zac Chasteen retired the next seven batters in order.

"If he pitches like that everyday we'll be in the ballgame," Oran coach Mitch Wood said.

The Eagles (3-2) had no problem jumping on Cobb, the Rams' ace, early.

Kody Moore reached base on an error to start the bottom of the first inning. After Cobb retired the next two batters, Chasteen singled to put runners on first and second.

Gabe Kielhofner then drew a walk to load the bases for Adam Schaefer.

Schaefer delivered.

The second baseman roped a two-run single to give Oran an early 2-0 lead.

"That was not the way we wanted to start with an error," Amick said. "His [Cobb] fastball had some zip but his breaking ball was a little flat. I think he allowed two hits in the first inning and none the rest of the game. But Oran is a good team. They have batters that are going to battle and work the counts. They do a great job with that."

The two runs were all Cobb allowed. The senior hurled five innings, allowing two hits and striking out nine.

"I was trying to find the strike zone," Cobb said. "I have a good defense behind me and they played great today."

Added Amick: "He's a kid we're going to run out there in situations we need to win. We have a lot of confidence in the fact that he's going to get the job done."

With Cobb mowing down the Eagles, the Rams finally pounced on Chasteen.

Scott City broke through with a one-out home run by Wyatt Martin in the third inning. Robert doubled two batters later and Cobb followed with an RBI double to tie it at 2-2.

"The first guy [Martin] jumped on a pitch and ignited the offense," Amick said. "It was good. Hopefully you pick up momentum and roll with that, and we did."

The Eagles and Rams did little in the fourth before Scott City's timely hitting came through in the fifth to take a 4-2 lead.

Oran tried to rally once more.

The Eagles' Moore was hit by a pitch with one out and Tyler Heuring drew a two-out walk to put runners on first and second with Chasteen at the plate.

But Cobb whiffed the Eagles' hurler to end the threat and the game.

"You always feel fortunate to come out of Oran with a win," Amick said.

Scott City 002 02 -- 4 7 1

Oran 200 00 -- 2 2 1

WP -- Skylar Cobb. LP -- Zac Chasteen. 2B -- Justin Modglin (SC), Landon Robert (SC), Cobb 2 (SC). HR -- Wyatt Martin (SC). Multiple hits -- Scott City: Cobb 2-3. Records -- Scott City 3-2, Oran 3-2.