BY CALEB GARNER
Special to The Dispatch
STARKVILLE–Having a leader that can make clutch plays when they are needed the most helped the Starkville Academy baseball team defeat visiting Leake Academy 10-4 on Thursday night at Volunteer Field.
Senior outfielder Colt Chrestman is that leader, as he made two big plays in the outfield that saved the Volunteers a few runs in the contest–one in the third inning that gunned out a Rebel base runner attempting to advance to third. The second play was a spectacular diving catch in the fifth. The senior also hit a clutch grand slam that broke the game open in the sixth that sealed the deal for the Volunteers.
Starkville Academy (15-3, 4-1 district) moved one step closer to a matchup with Heritage Academy Tuesday night for the lead in the Mississippi Association of Indpendent Schools Class AAA, District 2 race. The Volunteers will need to get past Winston Academy in a makeup game in Louisville Saturday to set up that matchup at Volunteer Field.
Starkville Academy coach Jarrod Parks said that Chrestman changes the game in so many ways, which is what makes the senior a leader.
“He changes the game in so many ways–at the plate, on the bases and in the field,” Parks said. “He saved a couple of runs with his diving catch, and if we do not have somebody out there that knows to cut the ball off and get it to the cut-off man, we do not get that guy out at third.”
Leake struck first with a bases-loaded walk that scored designated hitter Parker Whitaker, but the Volunteers were not to be outdone.
Houston Clark and Kyle Faver got the Vols started off with back-to-back singles. Luke Templeton stepped to the plate with two on and one down and laced a double to right-center that scored Clark and Faver to give SA the early 2-1 lead.
In the fifth, Starkville gained some breathing room by scoring three runs. Codie Futral led off with a base knock, followed by Drake Gordman reaching on a walk. Chrestman also walked with one down, and designated hitter Dillon Carrell drove in Futral and Gordman on a deep sac fly to center. Chrestman found home on a miscue by the Leake shortstop that allowed Faver to reach first.
The Rebels made things interesting by scoring three runs in the top of the sixth to narrow SA’s lead to 5-4, but that was all the damage the Rebels could manage.
In the bottom half of the inning, the Volunteers responded in a big way. Templeton and Futral both walked to start things off, followed by a base hit by Gordman that loaded the bases. Carter Roach hit a line shot to right that was snagged for the first out. Then, it was Chrestman’s time to shine. On a 2-1 count, the senior launched a grand slam over the left field wall that gave the Volunteers a more comfortable 9-4 lead. Houston Clark and Kyle Faver also scored inning to put the final runs on the board for the Volunteers.
Chrestman said that he had a great feeling after he hit the grand slam to left.
“I was just trying to get us some runs back in the inning,” Chrestman said. “But once I hit the ball, I knew it was gone.”
Vols ace Caleb Griffin tossed 5-2/3 innings, while striking out six batter and walking two to pick up the victory. He allowed five hits and three runs. Despite not having his best stuff, Parks said it was good enough to help Starkville Academy win.
“He did not have his best stuff, but sometimes that happens,” Parks said. “Even when he did not have his best stuff, he still got out of innings. He pitched well enough to win, and that is what matters.”
Luke Templeton came in after Hunter Tranum allowed a run in the sixth to shut down Leake and picked up the save.
Leake starter Joshua Jones pitched 4-2/3 innings, striking out four and walking three batters and took the loss on the night. He allowed five runs on five hits.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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