Four-run fifth inning propels Nitro to first win of the season

Bill Lusk | WVOW Sports

NITRO   A four-run fifth inning propelled the Nitro Wildcats to its first win of the season against the Chapmanville Tigers Tuesday night at Brandon Matthew Sneed Field.

Wyatt Thomas allowed one run on four hits in seven innings, Sam Smith went 2-3 and Charlie Hanks and Noah Ross each had one hit and one RBI in the Wildcats 4-1 victory.

Chapmanville (3-2) got an early run when Eli Pridemore singled to score courtesy runner Robert Cook to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

Nitro broke through in the fifth inning against Chapmanville starter David Browning, who was one out away from escaping the inning unscathed, but a walk to Landon Bradford and a single by Ross scored Smith to tie things up at 1-1.

Jake Snyder reached on an error allowing Bradford to cross the plate with the go-ahead run giving Nitro a 2-1 lead. Hanks followed with a single to score Ross to make it 3-1 and Justin Raines scored on a wild pitch for a 4-1 lead.

Chapmanville was unable to string together a rally as Thomas set the Tigers down in order in the sixth and seventh inning.

Browning was tagged with the loss after allowing two runs on one hit in 4 2/3 innings with six strikeouts and five walks. Brackston Kirk faced three batters in the fifth and gave up two unearned runs on one hit while Jacob Vance allowed one hit and struck out three in 1 1/3 innings.

Braylon Moore was the lone Tiger to collect multiple hits, finishing 2-3 with a pair of singles. Pridemore was 1-3 with one RBI and Vance had one hit in three plate appearances.

Chapmanville will host Boone County rival Scott Monday evening at 7 p.m. at Ted Ellis Field.