Holt leads Indians past Frankfort

Berkeley Springs High School junior Tyler Holt went the distance on the mound and added a two-run double, leading Berkeley Springs past sectional rival Frankfort, 4-1, on Saturday, March 17, in Ridgeley.

Holt worked seven innings allowing one run on three hits, striking out eight and walking two.

The Indians jumped on top with two runs in the opening inning, when Holt slashed a two-run double down the left field line, scoring both Brady Crane (a courtesy runner for Scott Hessler who reached on an error) and Zane Mokiher who reached base on single.

That would prove to be all the runs Berkeley Springs would need, but the Tribe added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh when Brett Fultz and Preston Hovermale each delivered RBI singles. Holt did the rest, to pick up his first win and even Berkeley's record at 1-1.

Berkeley Springs out hit their Mineral County foe 8-3.

"Tyler pitched very well and I thought we played an overall good game," said Berkeley Springs Coach Ron Bittinger. “We did commit three errors, but none of them hurt us. We scattered eight hits, by eight different batters. We have challenged the kids to be more aggressive at the plate and they were. This was a sectional game, so it was an important win."

Two days earlier, Berkeley Springs dropped its season opener to Moorefield, in Moorefield, 9-5.
Preston Hovermale started and was tagged with the loss, despite pitching 5.2 strong innings. Colten Ganoe recorded the final out for Berkeley Springs.

Hovermale, who allowed only six hits while striking out 11 batters and walking one, was the victim of some shoddy fielding, as all eight runs he allowed were unearned.

"We were really happy with Preston's pitching performance," Bittinger said. “To be honest he was a pleasant surprise and just gives us more depth. We had a bad game defensively. We committed eight errors and many of those were on routine plays. I think nerves had a lot to do with it since we had five first time starters in the lineup. It was a little frustrating, but it is something the kids can learn from.”

Holt had a pair of singles, two runs scored, and a RBI, Colten Ganoe had two singles and a RBI, while Fultz added a run scoring single. Berkeley Springs other hits were singles by Hessler and Anthony Lafollette.

The 1-1 Indians, who played a pair of home games this past Monday and Tuesday, continue the busy schedule at Hedgesville on March 22, return home the following day to face Clear Spring, before playing Musselman, in Bunker Hill on March 26.

The Indians have had to shuffle the lineup with several starters at the state basketball tournament. But, they should be back to full strength for the Clear Spring game, according to Bittinger.