Nationals win Gatorade National opener
Pushing across a run in the seventh inning, the Niagara Nationals nipped the Crystal Lake, Illinois Bombers 4-3 this afternoon in the opening round of the Gatorade National Tournament at Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Chris Goyette opened the seventh with a single, advanced on a sacrifice by Trevor Luthart and came home on a fielders choice play off the bat of Sam Murphy. Goyette also had a single in the fifth frame to plate the Nationals first run of the day.
Trailing 3-1, the Nationals pulled even by scoring twice in the sixth inning on a two-run single by Liam Ward. A single by Murphy and a walk set up the threat.
The Nationals were blanked through the first four frames on just two scattered hits, singles by Nate Sherman and Luthart.
The Bombers had scored once in the third and twice in the fifth.
Luthart and Aiden Johnston split the pitching duties allowing a total of 5 hits with 4 strikeouts.
The Nationals next game in the tourney is Friday morning.
