Buffs hold on to beat Bears

Published 5:00 am Wednesday, May 2, 2007

MADRAS – Jacob Prow survived a jam in the seventh inning to complete a five-hitter Tuesday, leading Madras to a tense 3-2 Intermountain Conference baseball victory over Bend High.

Ryan Amerongen bashed a two-out, two-strike, two-run homer in the seventh inning, as the visiting Lava Bears clawed back from a 3-0 deficit. Jacob Schumacher then reached base on an error, but Prow retired Keith Hillard on a ground ball to end the threat.

With the win, the White Buffaloes evened their IMC record at 6-6 to stay in contention for a state playoff berth. Meanwhile, Bend dropped to 4-7 and saw its postseason hopes take a serious hit.

Prow finished with eight strikeouts and one base on balls. His pitching counterpart, Tommy Richards, was nearly as good for the Lava Bears, checking Madras on six hits with two strikeouts and two walks over six innings.

”They both pitched just wonderfully,” said White Buffs coach Kevin Cave.

Madras broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning when Bobby Thurby scored on a single to right-center field by Rodney Smith. Thurby had reached base on an infield hit and stole second, then he advanced to third on a two-strike sacrifice bunt by Josh Farrester.

”We executed really well today, moving guys around with sacrifice bunts and stealing bases in key situations,” said Cave.

Madras scored two more runs in the sixth inning, one on an RBI single by Prow, another when Ethan Adams worked Richards for a bases-loaded walk for a 3-0 White Buffs lead.

Richards led off the seventh for Bend with a double, and two outs later Amerongen made it a one-run game with his drive to deep left field.

Madras (10-11 overall) plays in Bend against league-leading Summit next Tuesday.

Bend High (12-10 overall) plays at Mountain View on Thursday.