Midway baseball splits another doubleheader behind game one pitching gem

MIDWAY, Ky. - Three pitchers combined for a two-hit shutout in the opening game before weather halted any hopes of a Midway comeback in the second, as the Eagles and Madonna (Mich.) split a baseball doubleheader at Tracy Farmer-Don Ball Stadium Friday.

The Eagles took the opener 1-0, with the Crusaders winning game two 4-2.

MIDWAY 1, MADONNA 0

Midway didn't have another hit after the third batter of the game, but that proved to be enough offense, as a Shane Taylor triple immediately gave way to an RBI Josh Halterman double.

Dylan Burton did most of the heavy lifting, taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning. He finished five-plus innings having allowed two hits with one walk and five strikeouts.

The defense did its part as well. After the leadoff batter reached on an error and got to third base with two outs, the Crusaders had a shot to tie the game, only for Nick Eastham to rob Luke Spicer of an RBI with a diving catch in right field.

Then, with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth, reliever Noe Novella forced Nick Krol into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play. Jesse Komoroski then worked the ninth for his first save of the season.

MADONNA 4, MIDWAY 2

After the Crusaders scored twice in the top half, Halterman had another first inning RBI, scoring Eli Glasscock on a single.

Midway then cut a 4-1 deficit to 4-2 on a fourth-inning error before a heavy mix of rain and snow forced umpires to call the game in the bottom of the sixth, one inning after the teams had played enough innings to make the game official.

Seeing his most extensive action of the young season, Jonathan Watson went 2-for-2 at the plate for the 5-6 Eagles.

Midway is scheduled to play five more games at home next week, starting with a 2 p.m. Tuesday matchup with in-state foe Pikeville.

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