2016 NHSI: Walton Finishes With Impressive Win

CARY, N.C.—Walton High walked off on a passed ball to beat Flanagan High 2-1 in eight innings on Saturday in the consolation round of the 2016 National High School Invitational.

Flanagan, out of Pembroke Pines, Fla., struck first on a strange play where two players occupied third base. In all the confusion, the lead runner scampered home uncontested and scored. That proved to be Flanagan’s only shot at home however as Walton starter Zac Kristofak and reliever Cameron Bloodworth put together an excellent game. Kristofak allowed only three hits and the one earned run while recording three walks and five strikeouts in five innings of work. Bloodworth allowed only one hit, had no walks and three strikeouts.

The game was tight and closely contested throughout with a standout performance from Flanagan starter Nick MacDonald. MacDonald was excellent through 7 innings, allowing only one run and three hits against five strikeouts and three walks. MacDonald kept the Raider offense in check all game and Walton Coach Shane Amos said after the game that, “He was throwing two pitches for strikes. He threw breaking pitches in fastball counts and fastballs in breaking ball counts.”

Walton shortstop and top draft prospect Carter Kieboom was held 0-for-3 by the Flanagan staff. Kieboom flew out to deep right field, drew a walk, struck out swinging and grounded into a fielder’s choice at third.

Flanagan’s standout player was catcher Alex Hernandez who went 2-for-3 on the day with hard contact on his two singles.

Coach Amos noted that MacDonald keeping his team off balance was just one of the many side effects of playing in a strong tournament, as Walton heads home to Marietta, Ga. “This was a great week from us to go 3-1 here. We were in every single ball game, every team here is good and this only sets us up well, confidence-wise.”