Williamstown’s Leewood Molessa rounds the bases during a game earlier this season. Molessa and the Yellowjackets defeated Tyler Consolidated during Thursday’s sectional game in Williamstown. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

From staff reports

WILLIAMSTOWN — In the matter of five days, Williamstown baseball figured it out.

After suffering their only shutout of the season in a loss at the Little Conference Kanawha Conference championship game, the Yellowjackets faced Tyler Consolidated starting pitcher Jayden Helmick for the second time in less than a week and solved the right-handed junior for six runs in less than an inning of work.

A seven-run, first inning left Williamstown starting pitcher Chase Barkley with breathing room to spare and the senior responded by allowing two runs on three hits over seven innings. The Yellowjacket offense finished with 14 hits and defeated the Silver Knights 9-2 to advance to the championship round of the double-elimination Class A sectional bracket.

“We hit the ball really hard– the difference-maker was that we did not get into situations where we starting off with two outs and getting guys on,” Williamstown coach Levi Maxwell said after his ballclub improved to 23-3. “The difference from last Saturday — we were jumping on first pitch fastballs and were more aggressive at the plate. We hit the ball hard last Saturday in Glenville, but we hit everything right at people. This time we took advantage of their mistakes. They had some misplayed balls in the outfield, and we were super aggressive on the basepaths. That paid off for us.”

Helmick’s short stint resulted in just one earned run. By Williamstown’s count, TCHS (21-8) committed four errors. The Silver Knights’ stats showed five and a possible sixth error for the game.

“Tip your cap to Williamstown, they changed their approach at the plate,” TCHS coach Robby Jones said. “They put the ball in play. Defensively, I don’t think we have made more than two, maybe three errors, in a game. We threw the ball around more than we usually do.

“Our kids battled the whole seven innings. After the first inning, it was a 2-2 game. Williamstown came out fired up. There was a much bigger crowd than we we are used to playing in front of. Williamstown came out ready to go.”

A total of six Yellowjackets turned in multiple-hit games, including Braydin Coleman going 2-for-4 with a double and a pair of doubles, and Ty Ott enjoying a 2-for-4 effort with a double, RBI and a run scored. Leewood Molessa, Parker Schramm, Luke Ankrom and Harbor Haught also contributed two hits apiece to the offensive attack.

“We prepared for (Helmick) in practice and focused in on the first pitch fastball,” Maxwell said. “We made sure we were more aggressive, and not staying back and waiting for things to happen. That first inning is probably the best I’ve seen us hit in an inning this year.”

Coach Maxwell elected to give Barkley the ball based on his experience in big games. TCHS had not faced Barkley in two previous meetings between the two schools this season.

“Chase is not overpowering, but he is effective at keeping the ball down. I like my chances against anybody we face with him in there.”

Of the 75 pitches Barkley needed while turning in a complete-game effort, 69 percent resulted in strikes. He kept TCHS off stride and watched as his outfield stayed busy.

Three different TCHS hitters each delivered a single. Alec Chaplin’s two-run base hit in the top of the fourth inning cut the deficit to 8-2.

“Chase was getting ahead and staying ahead by pounding the strike zone,” Maxwell said. “He kept the ball down and got a lot of fly balls. Our defense made the plays that Tyler hit at us.

“Chase is a very confident pitcher and very consistent.”

TCHS relief pitchers Carson Gorby and Owen Westbrook combined for the final 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on nine hits. Gorby lasted 3 1/3 innings and shouldered a heavy workload so the Silver Knights could keep the rest of the staff rested.

“We have had a lot deeper pitching staff than what we showed most seasons,” Jones said. “With games being spaced out enough this season, we have three starting pitchers who have done a brunt of the work. But we have very capable arms coming out of the bullpen.”

Combined with Maxwell Molessa outing in the sectional opener where he recorded all but the last two outs in a 14-1, five-inning win over St. Marys, the Yellowjacket pitching staff is well-rested as well.

“We are in a situation where we still have three to four guys who are fresh — we haven’t had to use anybody,” Maxwell said.

TCHS drops into the loser’s half of the bracket and must win Friday in order to set up a rematch with Williamstown for Saturday’s noon matchup.

“Our backs are against the wall,” Jones said. “I expect our kids to come out fighting. In our postgame today, I told the guys we have won three straight games on different occasions this season. That’s what we have to do if we want to extend our season.”