Zack Parker scores the game-winning run in Norwich’s 4-3 win over Sherburne on Friday night. (Photo by Morgan Golliver)

NORWICH – On Friday, the Norwich ‘A’ team hosted Sherburne in a rescheduled PONY League contest. Both teams played tough down to the wire with Norwich keeping their win-streak alive with a 4-3 victory. Zack Parker scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning off Jaxson Francis’ RBI single.

Norwich got on the board in the bottom of the first inning as Zack Parker led off with a single and stole two bases. He scored on a groundout RBI from Francis. Carmine Pastore stood his ground on the mound with some advice from Parker, who played shortstop. Carmine allowed one base runner on a walk before Sherburne tied the game in the third.

Sherburne tied the game at one a piece after Caleb Neuenschwander reached on a walk and got into scoring position with a single from Parker McCracken. Caleb came in to score on an error with two outs. Norwich got out of a slight jam as Cooper Roy flew out to right field to end the inning.

The Purple Tornado answered back in the bottom of the third inning as Jaxson Francis scored on an error. Both teams were held scoreless until the top of the sixth inning.

Sherburne scored two unearned runs off Zack Parker in relief. Owen Brown scored on an error while Wesley Fisher touched home plate on a passed ball. The Marauders had another runner in scoring position with only one out, but Parker struck out the next two batters to limit the damage.

Norwich knotted the game once again in the bottom half of the inning as the bases were loaded for Kassen Stubb. Stubb walked on four pitches with two outs to send in a run.

With the game tied at three, going into the seventh inning, it was anyone’s game. However, Zack Parker made sure it was a victory for the home team. Parker struck out the side before the Norwich offense came up in the bottom of the seventh. It took just four batters for Norwich to win the game.

Zack Parker collected his second hit of the night along with his third stolen base with the game on the line. He hustled in to score the game-winning run off Francis’ long single to center field.

Parker was credited with the win on the mound while Sherburne’s Caleb Neuenschwander took the loss. Parker (six) and Pastore combined with 11 strikeouts as Owen Brown (five) and Neuenschwander struck out a total of eight batters.

Norwich faced Oxford on Sunday (separate article) as Sherburne travels to Oxford this Monday evening at 6 p.m.

Box Score:

Runs by Inning: R H E

SH:

0-0-1-0-0-2-0 3 3 2

NO:

1-0-1-0-0-1-1 4 5 2