ECBL: Gators, Chargers split doubleheader

By Cam Ellis
Published in Sports on June 19, 2015 1:48 PM

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cellis@newsargus.com

Michael Taylor challenged his players.

After Wayne Country Day's third straight loss this week -- each by one run -- Taylor gathered his players down the right-field line between games of their double header against Eastern Carolina Baseball League foe Spring Creek.

Taylor delivered a stern message.

"I challenged them," Taylor said. "Yes, it's a summer ball game, but act like it's a school ball game. How would you play? Play with a little bit of pride right here."

The Chargers' performance in the first game, a 6-5 loss, merited such a talk. All six of the Gators' runs in the game were unearned, thanks to a sloppy performance from Wayne Country Day's middle infield. Three errors -- and a couple more that could have been scored as such -- gave Spring Creek extra outs it used to push runs across.

The bulk of the damage came in the first inning when the Gators' jumped on Chargers' starter Amane Godo for four runs on only one hit -- a Kaden Geelen two-RBI single. Two walks from Godo and two errors from the defense behind him kept the inning alive, however.

"I thought Amane threw well enough to win that first game," Taylor said. "But John [Strickland] had a great day for us."

A great day might be an understatement.

Strickland, who caught a few innings before moving to third base, single-handedly kept the Chargers in the first game, going 1-for-2 with a grand slam and five RBI. Despite carrying the team offensively in the first game, the rising junior was just getting started.

On the mound for the second game, Strickland answered Taylor's call -- and then some -- as he shut down Spring Creek for five innings in a 3-0 win. He gave up five hits, walked one and struck out four in a complete-game effort.

"To give up five hits in five innings, that's pretty good," Taylor said. "That's John for you. Earlier in the week he struggled against Eastern Wayne and then came back today and did what he needed to do."

Strickland, who struggled with command against the Warriors on Tuesday, was much sharper against Spring Creek.

"I just had to stay focused and drive using my legs," he said. "Sometimes I drop my elbow and leave some pitches high, but today I just tried to dial it in and pound the strike zone."

Strickland mentioned that despite playing their second game of the day and fifth of the week, Taylor's challenge struck a chord with the players.

"(The 2nd game) felt like a must-win, kind of," he said. "Coach told us that even though it was summer ball, we still needed to play for something. He told us to have the tenacity to go get it."

It was a fitting way to end a week of 'almost wins' for Wayne Country Day.

"I'm proud of the boys for stepping up and doing what they needed to do for the win," Taylor said. "I'm proud of my guys."