By James J. Lidington

ISLE OF WIGHT

Ethan Hennessy’s grand slam with one out in the top of the seventh pushed Norfolk Academy past homestanding Isle of Wight Academy 8-7 here on Thursday.

IWA loaded the bases with 2 outs in the home half of the inning, but the game ended on a foul out.

Brett Pezzella was 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs for the Bulldogs (4-3). Bryce Daniels was 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs and scored 3 for the Chargers (1-3), who outhit the visitors 12-8.

IWA held a 7-4 lead entering what was to be the final half-inning of the game. Lead-off hitter Landon Porter singled to lead off the frame but was cut down on a fielder’s choice when Pezzella grounded to short.

Charger pitcher Tyler Watkins then walked Brendan Kastner and David Byler singled with one out to load the bases, setting the stage for Hennessy.

Isle of Wight scored its seventh run of the game on consecutive two-out singles by Cole Praither and Noah Colyer in the sixth inning. Praither would later score after a Norfolk Academy wild pitch and error. Colyer was left at second base after ninth-place hitter Zack Stroud grounded out to shortstop to end the inning.

An inning earlier, they staged another two-out rally when Colyer and Stroud were hit by a pitch. Lead-off hitter Hunter Hayden singled, as did Bryce Daniels, scoring their two predecessors.

The Bulldogs scored three times on two hits three hits in the fourth inning

Colyer assumed the leading role among IWA hitters after four games, batting .667 (6-for-9). Praither was second at.556; Daniels, third at .545; and Ryan Boyce, fourth at.533

IWA opens its 2019 Metro Athletic Conference campaign on Monday, March 25, at traditional powerhouse Atlantic Shores. IWA hosts Denbigh Baptist Christian on Thursday. Conference games begin at 4:30 p.m.

JAMES J. LIDINGTON teaches at Isle of Wight Academy. Contact him at 357-3866.