HANCOCK – Coming off a big win against Southern Cayuga, the Afton Crimson Knights baseball team knew they’d have to battle against Deposit-Hancock, the defending champions. Deposit-Hancock’s three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh sealed a 5-2 victory, eliminating Afton and sending the Eagles to their second straight Class D title game. This was the same score from when these two teams met in mid-April.

The Eagles took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning before Afton’s Justin Reeve tied it in the top of the third with a solo home-run to left field. Deposit-Hancock answered back with a home run of their own to have a 2-1 advantage.

In risk of losing a close ball game, Afton tied the game at two all as Braydon Baciuska hit a sacrifice bunt with three men on and only one out. Ryan Wright scored on the play, but the Crimson Knights failed to score again.

Ryan Wright headed back to the mound for Afton to start the bottom of the seventh inning, hoping the game would go into extras. He gave up a one out single before getting the second out. He walked the next batter on four pitches, setting up two men on for the next to hit the home run.

Despite the loss, Wright was able to go the distance with six and two-thirds, where he struck out eight batters.

Afton finishes the 2023 season with a 10-6 record. Best of luck to all the seniors.

Box Score:

Runs by Inning: R H E

Afton:

0-0-1-0-0-0-1 2 6 2

DPST:

0-1-1-0-0-0-3 5 6 2