NW boys defeat Ft. Ann in 8th inning

CHESTERTOWN | In a back-and-forth baseball battle with Fort Ann April 24, the North Warren Cougars forced an 8th inning that they won in a suspenseful conclusion. The Cougars were winning 5-1 after five innings, but in the sixth their defense faltered, allowing Fort Ann to surpass them. However, North Warren hung tough as the lead changed several times: they forced an extra inning, and came away with a hard-fought win, despite tallying eight hits to Fort Ann's ten. After Fort Ann scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning, they led North Warren seven to five. In the bottom of the seventh, North Warren's Brodie Rooker was hit by a pitch and got on base, Will Lindsley hit a line drive and reached second on an error, while Rooker advanced to third. Dan Mattison then hit a fly ball and advanced to second base on an error, and Rooker scored to narrow the Cardinals' margin to 7-6. Connor Clench-Matteo then hit a ground ball to right field that scored Lindsley, to tie the game at 7-7. North Warren's Nico Tucci was then intentionally walked, and the bases were loaded with one out, but Fort Ann's third baseman reached for a catch and executed a double play that prevented the Cougars from winning without an extra inning. In the top of the eighth, Fort Ann's Sean Havens hit a double off the fence to regain the lead at 8-7. But the Cougars weren't to be defeated. Owen Schaefer and Maceo Matson both singled, and Rooker walked to load the bases. Owen scored on a passed ball, tying the score at 8-8. Fort Ann intentionally walked Lindsley, then Mattison executed a hit, and Matson scored on a passed ball, giving the Cougars their 9-8 victory. Matson, the starting pitcher for the Cougars, struck out five batters and walked none over six innings, but gave up seven hits and four runs. Relieving Matson, Schaefer struck out one batter and walked three over two innings. "I have mixed feelings about the game," Cougars coach John Kelly said. "We were leading Fort Ann five to one, but our defense fell apart, letting them back into the game."Kelly added that he was relieved that his players persevered and won the battle. CORINTH 9, NORTH WARREN 6 After scoring eight runs in the bottom of the third inning, the Riverhawks proceeded to upset the Cougars 9 to 6 on April 22, achieving their first win of 2026. Matson, Rooker, Schaefer, Lindsley and Mattison each had one hit each for the Cougars, collectively surpassing the Riverhawks' four hits. Schaefer also batted in two runners, while Clench-Matteo and Patrick Viele each had an RBI. George Hilton, the Cougars' starting pitcher, struck out three batters and walked three while allowing five runs — four earned — off one hit. C.J. Barlow relieved Hilton, striking out three batters and walking one while allowing three hits and zero runs over two and one-third innings. Over the game, North Warren executed one double play. Schaefer was responsible for two of the five bases stolen by North Warren's players. NORTH WARREN 12, WHITEHALL 1 A seven-run fifth inning propelled North Warren to a 12-1 victory over Whitehall on April 21. Leading the Cougars on offense were Lindsley with his home run and Clench-Matteo with a three-run double; Barlow contributed a single and four RBIs. On the mound for North Warren, Schaefer was credited with the win, striking out four batters and walking three, while giving up eight hits and one run over five innings. The Cougars executed two double plays and collectively stole nine bases. Next up for North Warren is a game at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29 versus Bolton on the historic Doubleday Field in Cooperstown. Following is a game versus Granville at 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 1 on the Cougars' ball field.

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NW boys defeat Ft. Ann in 8th inning

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