Northmor falls to Cardington

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Northmor was forced to go on the road to play a home game due to poor playing conditions on its diamond. The road trip to Cardington proved to be as unpleasant as the weather. The Pirates defeated Northmor 11-5, handing the Knights their eighth loss in the last 10 games.

Northmor head coach Buck Workman and starting pitcher Jake Farley refused to blame the loss on the playing conditions.

“The conditions were rough — Farley couldn’t even grip the ball. But we told our kids it’s the same for both of us — you just have to battle through,” Workman said.

Farley was reserved in his assessment.

“I don’t want to blame the weather, but I just couldn’t throw a strike,” he said.

Farley pitched 5 2/3 innings in the loss, allowing nine runs on seven hits. He gave up nine walks and a slew of wild pitches.

The cold and raw conditions definitely impacted the senior’s performance.

“A couple of times the ball went 30 feet over the catchers head; I couldn’t find the zone tonight,” said Farley.

Workman on Farley: “He didn’t have his best stuff today. He’s been lights out all year. Today he threw a couple of ball that almost went over the backstop.”

Daniel Kill was more effective for Cardington. The sophomore struck out 11 Northmor hitters over six innings of work. He allowed three runs on three hits with a pair of walks in the win.

“Kill is one of their top two pitchers,” said Workman.

The Knight’s coach put some responsibility on his players regarding Kill’s stats.

“We helped him out too much-swinging at balls over our hands,” he said.

Workman was frustrated with his team’s approach at the plate.

“I think we had double digit strike outs (12) for the game. You have to put the ball in play to make things happen,” he said.

Cardington jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning taking advantage of two singles, two walks and a combination of wild pitches and passed balls.

The Knights charged back in the bottom of the inning to get within one of the lead, 3-2 on three singles and a Cardington throwing error.

The inning had more potential.

“The first inning we got down two bunts and scored two runs,” said Workman. “I think if we get a couple of more bunts down I think we might have scored more runs. We’re not helping ourselves when we strike out three times to end the inning.”

The Pirates had base runners in all seven innings. They took advantage of the conditions to move runners at every opportunity. Cardington added single runs in the third and fourth innings, four runs in the fifth inning and a pair of runs in the sixth inning.

Northmor scored a run in the fifth and two in the seventh to end its scoring.

Farley scored three times for the Knights. He had a pair of singles and reached on a fielder’s choice and an error.

Workman summed up the team’s current struggles.

“We’re just not doing the little things to get the job done,” he said.

Northmor has regular season games remaining with Mount Gilead, Fredericktown and Highland and a first round tournament game at Fairbanks.

The Northmor baseball team talk strategy during a game against Cardington on May 4. The Knights lost 11-5. Northmor has regular season games remaining with Mount Gilead, Fredericktown and Highland and a first round tournament game at Fairbanks.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2016/05/web1_IMG_0966.jpgThe Northmor baseball team talk strategy during a game against Cardington on May 4. The Knights lost 11-5. Northmor has regular season games remaining with Mount Gilead, Fredericktown and Highland and a first round tournament game at Fairbanks. Mike Tanchevski | Galion Inquirer

By Mike Tanchevski

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Connect with Tanchevski on Twitter at @mtan62.

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