TRI-COUNTY LEAGUE East Palestine stings title-seeking Rebels

The Bulldogs' 13-3 win slowed Crestview's march to a crown.
By JOHN BUTERA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
EAST PALESTINE -- The East Palestine High baseball team loves playing the role of spoiler.
The Bulldogs took on another one of the Tri-County League's top teams Monday, defeating Crestview 13-3 in five innings to put a dent in the Rebels' championship hopes.
The Bulldogs scored four runs in each of the first two innings to gain control, helping to avenge an earlier 7-6 loss to the Rebels (10-9, 8-3 TCL).
"We just wanted to have a say in who won this thing," said Bulldogs coach Troy Berdine. "We've beaten Columbiana and now we've beaten Crestview. I hope our good fortune continues [today] against United."
East Palestine collected nine hits in the first two innings and 13 overall. Senior Branden Lewis had three hits, including a double, scored three runs, drove in five and stole a base.
"This was probably the best we've hit all year," Lewis said. "And plus after we got that big lead, it was much easier. We didn't look back."
Harvey homers
Teammate Adam Harvey hit an inside-the-park homer and added a single, a stolen base and another run.
"We were able to get a little redemption after they beat us the last time," Harvey said. "Plus the coach told us that we needed to play the role of the spoiler and get ready to play well in the tournament."
Trailing 8-0, Crestview didn't give in, using a pair of hits and three Bulldog errors to score three runs in the top of the fourth, keyed by an RBI double by Rocky Brown.
East Palestine put the game away with four runs in the fifth. Frankie Newman's double scored Ben Davis and Zack Weber with the game-ending runs.
Newman also had a sacrifice fly, a double and a single and a run scored. Weber had three singles and scored three runs.
East Palestine pitcher Nick Henry scattered five hits to earn the victory.
"Nick has struggled all year with control," Berdine said. "But today he just kept battling and he gave us a chance to win."
For Crestview, Andrew Neiheisel had a pair of singles and a run scored. Rebels first baseman Jim Neeld committed his first error in 43 games.