BUCKHANNON - Buckhannon Post 7 snapped a six-game losing streak Tuesday night, producing a convincing 9-2 victory over visiting Preston Post 56 at West Virginia Wesleyan's Hank Ellis Field.
Nate Kemper and Dalton Westfall combined to strike out 15 Post 56 hitters. Kemper was efficient firing the first six innings, allowing only one run on six hits and striking out nine. He only walked three batters as he left the game with 85 pitches on his count.
Westfall closed the final three innings and didn't allow a hit. He walked two and struck out six. Kemper recorded the win, while Westfall was rewarded with the rare nine-out save.
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The Inter-Mountain photo by Andrew Ferguson
Buckhannon’s Drew Gandee plows into Preston catcher Chase Chambers on a play at home plate Tuesday in Tennerton. Post 7 went on to earn a 9-2 win.
"Nate has been steady for us all summer, both on the mound and with some offensive production," Buckhannon manager Steve Gandee said. "He was hitting his spots and made some good out pitches when he was getting ahead of the count."
After Preston posted a 1-0 lead on Chase Chambers' RBI double in the top of the second. Buckhannon rallied to score two in the second, two in the third, and three more in the fourth to gain separation for its hurlers. Buckhannon collected five hits on the evening, but were also the beneficiaries of 11 walks and four Preston errors.
Brandon Newcomb led the Buckhannon offense, recording a game-high three RBIs, including a successfully executed squeeze in the fourth.
Daniell Powell and Drew Gandee each drilled triples, while Tyler Wood, Matt Fair and Corey Reed also found the hit column.
"Newcomb's squeeze was a big play, and we also did a better job of putting the bat on the ball to produce runs when we had men in scoring position," Gandee said. "We had an approach and worked several walks with some good at bats.
"Basically, we made baseball plays tonight, and we haven't been doing that for a couple of weeks."
Chambers and Liam Massey each had two hits to lead the Preston offense. Logan Menear struck out five Buckhannon hitters in four innings of relief.
Buckhannon (9-16) will return to Hank Ellis Field Thursday night, hosting Fairmont Post 17 for a 7 p.m. tilt.
