Parkersburg third baseman Logan Fling, left, tags out Huntington baserunner Matt Hood during the Big Reds’ 4-2 win, Wednesday at Bennett Stump Field. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

PARKERSBURG – Even hitters at the major league level struggle at the plate.

Mired in a mini-slump, Parkersburg freshman Parker Woods and his father stepped away for personal time at the batting cage prior to the Big Reds’ game with Huntington.

The extra work paid off Wednesday night at Bennett Stump Field as Woods delivered a two-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning which proved to be the game-winning hit in a 4-2 win over the Highlanders.

Not only did the PHS coaching staff give the team a day off, but several Big Reds were joining a class trip to PNC Park the following day to watch a Pittsburgh Pirates game.

“I was kind of in a slump for a couple of games,” Woods said. “My dad and I were working on some stuff in the cage the other day. I was more focused on getting more level with my swing.”

Parkersburg pitcher Cooper Cancade threw a complete-game victory as the Big Reds defeated Huntington 4-2, Wednesday at Bennett Stump Field. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Two Huntington pitchers combined to limit PHS to one hit while taking a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning. Jaxon Myers, who was responsible for the first two Big Red hits of the game, led off the home half of the sixth inning with a base hit the opposite way into right field. Peyton Davis bunted Myers to second base and Jesse Showalter out of the No. 9 slot in the order drew a base on balls – one of 11 issued by the Huntington pitching staff.

With runners stationed at first and second base, the lineup turned over to Woods, who drilled a seed well over the center fielder’s head just shy of the fence. Both Myers and Showalter scored to put the Big Reds in front 3-2.

“I wasn’t looking for any certain pitch – the first pitch he threw me a change-up so I knew he was going to come back with something hard,” Woods said. “It happened to be down the middle.It felt awesome off the bat. I was screaming at Jesse because he was still near first base. I was screaming at him to run because I knew I got it.”

Later in the inning with runners at first and second base and one out, Noah Holland ripped a shot back up the box. The Huntington second baseman got a glove on the ball but could not come up with it cleanly, and Woods easily scored from second on the single.

“Parker is going to be a really good player for us,” Burns said. “He is more mature than his age. He has been one of our leaders. He has struggled a little at the plate recently, but what he did there in the sixth inning that was the old Parker there.”

Parkersburg batter Jesse Showalter watches ball four for a fourth-inning walk during the Big Reds’ 4-2 win over Huntington, Wednesday at Bennett Stump Field. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Cooper Cancade, who threw an abnormal amount of pitches through the first three innings, was quite effective with his pitch count the remainder of the game. Over seven innings, the senior limited the Highlanders to two runs, one of which was unearned, on four hits, walked two and struck out six.

He did not allow an off-day at the plate to affect his game on the mound.

“I just kept trying to deal – I have been dealing all year long,” Cancade said. “I’ve been trying to throw strikes and let the defense do their work. I was mad about my at bats. That frustration made me want to throw my fastballs even harder.

“The Huntington hitters weren’t liking the low two-seamers fading away from them.”

Cancade retired 10 of the final 11 batters he faced in the complete-game win. And even had three pitches to spare with the pitch count as he struck out the final batter looking.

Huntington baserunner Jacob Hale dives back into first base ahead of the pickoff attempt to Parkersburg first baseman Noah Holland during the Big Reds’ 4-2 win, Wednesday at Bennett Stump Field. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Huntington ran itself out of several scoring chances in the first few innings and the Big Red defense responded by throwing out runners at home plate and third base, and another runner caught in a rundown.

“The defense kept us in the game until the offense woke up,” Burns said. ” Cooper did an excellent job the whole night. Early on, he threw a lot of pitches, but he was effective later on. I think he had (64) pitches after the first three innings then got out of the next two innings with 11 and 12 pitches.

“Cooper admitted he was a little ticked off because of his offense and kind of showed it on the pitching mound. But he didn’t take it to the field with him. He was probably throwing harder at the end of the game than he was early in the game. He kept it under control and did a great job on the mound.”

Parkersburg improved to 4-10 and 2-4 in the Mountain State Athletic Conference. More importantly, the Big Reds picked up their second win against a regional opponent.

Huntington dropped to 5-9 and 3-5 in the MSAC.

Parkersburg baseball coach Alan Burns, standing, talks to his team after the Big Reds defeated Huntington 4-2, Wednesday at Bennett Stump Field. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

The Big Reds making the trip to Pittsburgh now get to sit back for a day and enjoy the game they love playing. They will also get treated to playing catch on the field following the conclusion of the Pirate game.

“I’m just a baseball fan,” Cancade responded when asked which team he roots for.

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com