In the season opener for both teams, Asheville High’s Timon Salters drove in the game-winning run off of lefty Forrest Kerslake in the top of the seventh inning to saddle the Tuscola varsity baseball team with a 5-4 loss Monday afternoon at Mountaineer Ballpark next to Junaluska Elementary.
Kerslake (0-1), who pitched only the seventh, was tagged with the loss. Senior Lucas Ledford started for skipper Caleb McConnell’s Mountaineers, going four frames, giving up just two hits, one earned run and struck out three Cougars. He left the game with a 3-2 lead.
“We swung the bats and hit the ball well for a first game,” said McConnell. “But it was sloppy defense that cost us the game.”
Zach Maag, who threw the final two innings, was the winning pitcher for Asheville.
Tuscola’s Zach Lennane pitched the ...