Coming off a 13-0 Cartersville clobbering, one might wonder if the “Cats” of Gilmer could ruin the Raiders of South East Whitfield’s day. Gilmer gave a great effort in route to a 4-0 shut-out victory at home. Starting pitcher, Marlen Hensley, took to the mound in the top of the first, retiring the side, one two three to bring up the Bobcats’ bats. Hensley’s heat would continue to confound the Raiders throughout the contest. Tucker Plouffe’s solo home run gave Gilmer the lead in the bottom of the first, and the inning ended with Gilmer up 1-0.

The top of the second inning mirrored the first as Hensley retired the Raiders in succession. The Bobcat’s breaking ball was breaking down the Raiders repeatedly. It was plain to see that the “Cats” had collectively cleared the calamity in Cartersville from its conscience.

The bottom of the second saw the lead double, to 2-0, after Shane Dale’s RBI triple scored Sawyer Thompson, who reached first via walk.

In the top of the third, Hensley retired the first two batters, making it eight straight batters beaten back. The Raiders finally reached first via walk; however, the Raiders runner was left stranded like Tom Hanks in “Castaway” after Hensley retired the next Raider with a strike out.

Plouff plucky leadoff single started off Bobcats’ bats in the bottom of the third. Bramlett’s screaming RBI double to left center scored Plouffe. Colt Henderson’s deep sacrifice fly scored Bramlett. With the Bobcats adding two runs and having only one out, the Raiders’ coach headed to the mound to settle his pitcher down. The Raiders would get out of the inning with two more outs but the damage was done. 4-0 Gilmer.

The Raiders led off the top of the fifth with a double to right center, the first hit Hensley gave up. With a man on first and no outs, Hensley’s heat got hotter as his pitches seemed to get faster. He retired the next three batters for a total of 12 out of 14 faced.

Dale led off the bottom of the forth with a hard hit single. Dale has bee hitting the ball very solid and strong. MuClure moved Dale to second with a sacrifice bunt. A wild pitch would move Dale to third. However, the Bobcats were not able to get Dale across the plate. Gilmer led 4-0 going into the fifth.

Hensley walked the lead of batter in the fifth. A wild pitch moved the runner to second. After another walk, head coach Kyle Barr headed for the mound, to settle his pitcher down.
Those gathered for Gilmer wondered “would this be it for Hensley?” He had thrown a great game.

Would this be a perfect time to bring in a closer? Barr had a decision to make, he had a four run lead; however, the Raiders had two on with no outs. One wrong pitch would change the game quickly. Barr left the hill and Hensley stayed on the mound allowing his pitcher to work.

Baseball fans all over the world, understand the excitement of getting to watch a pitcher work his way out of an inning. Hensley did not disappoint. One word described his performance, “Masterful.” With two on base and the pressure on, Hensley worked his way out of the inning.

It was clear the Bobcats where playing as a team. The Bobcats defense was perfect and Hensley was able to pitch with confidence knowing his team was behind him. Coach Barr made the right decision. The scored remained 4-0 going into the sixth as the Bobcats was shut out in the bottom of the fifth.

Hensley would give up two singles in the top of the sixth. The Raiders found out that single were much easier to obtain than actual runs. The Bobcats got out of the inning with out giving up any runs. The Raiders retired the Bobcats one, two, three in the bottom of the sixth.

Although Hensley had given up a couple of hits and had to work his way out of the last two innings he showed no sign of getting tired. Fans wondered if the closer would come in for the last inning or would Barr let Hensley go for a complete game.

Hensley would take the hill to start off the top of the seventh. With two Bobcats infield errors the Raider would find themselves with a man on first and second with no outs. That’s when lightning struck, literally, causing a game delay. Umpires removed the players from the field for 30 minutes per GHSA regulations.

If the umpire calls a game after five innings the game counts. Watching the two coaches and the umpire talk one could only guess Bobcat coach was trying to convince the umpire the storm front would not pass soon and the game should probably be called off. On the other hand the Raiders’ coach was looking at two on with no outs. He was in favor waiting out the storm.

For the Bobcats’ faithful, the real question would be, with a delay would this be the end of the night for Hensley, or would Barr bring in a fresh arm? The Raiders had been on base three innings in a row, however, Hensley, after a 30 minute weather delay took the mound.

His first pitch looked like the first pitch of the game. Hensley would blow the ball by the first two raiders striking them out. With two on and two outs he forced the batter into a ground out to end the game. Marlen Hensley threw a total of 95 pitches for a complete game and the win against S.E. Whitfield.

Coach Barr should be happy with this win and the Bobcats should now have their confidence back. Although they won 4-0 the Bobcats struggled to field consecutive hits throughout the contest.