New Hope High School senior Dusty Dyson is in quite a groove right now.
His timing could not be better for the baseball Trojans.
Dyson ripped a game-wining single in the home half of the seventh inning as New Hope walked-off with a 4-3 win over Saltillo in a Class 5A, Region 2 contest played Tuesday night at New Hope.
“That is Dusty’s second or third walk-off of the year,” New Hope coach Lee Boyd said. “He was struggling really bad earlier in the year. Here lately, he has been carrying us.
“He battled through some tough pitches in that at-bat.”
For the New Hope designated and five-hole hitter, there was no major change to his approach.
“Really, it was just a matter of starting to hit the ball,” Dyson said. “It was a struggle early, but once I found a rhythm, things have been good. My confidence is much higher. It’s whatever I can do to help.”
New Hope (16-5 overall, 4-1 region) built a first-inning 2-0 lead. For starting pitcher Landon Boyd, that appeared it might be enough.
However, Saltillo crawled back from deficits of 2-0 and 3-1 to pull even. An errant pickoff throw opened the door for the Tigers to tie the contest in the top half of the seventh inning.
“Landon had good command of all three of hits pitches,” Coach Boyd said. “He was really phenomenal on the mound for us. I think their three-hole and four-hole hitters had six of their seven hits.
“I really hate that Landon got a no-decision on the mound. He was gassed there in the seventh inning so we went with (Taylor) Stafford since he is our closer.”
Stafford did snuff the Saltillo threat with the score tied. In the home half of the inning, Tee Payne started things with a one-out double down the left field line.
“What a big hit by Tee,” Coach Boyd said. “He was down 0-2 in the count and fouled off some pitches. His at-bat and Dyson’s at-bat were just two quality, clutch at-bats.
“We have played so many close games this year. In the seventh inning at home, we feel like we are going to pull it out.”
New Hope finished with 10 hits. Will Golsan and Peyton Lee each had two hits. Stafford added a double. Payne had an RBI on a sacrifice-fly to go along with his double. Thomas Woodruff also had an RBI-single.
“Ten hits is good for our offense,” Dyson said. “We have really picked it up in district play. Offensively, we are getting good balance to go with great pitching.”
The teams play again Thursday at Saltillo.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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