The Westover High School Patriots from Albany came up with two runs in the top of the seventh inning Monday at Bearcat Field to pull out a 3-2 victory over the Bainbridge High School Bearcats.

The Bearcats threatened to tie it and send it to extra innings in the bottom of the seventh, but Steven Goodman was stranded at third after being hit by a pitch, stealing second and moving up on a wild pitch.

Drew Day gave the Bearcats an early 2-0 lead when he hit a long home run over the left field fence with Ryan Wade, who drew a walk, aboard in the bottom of the third.

The Patriots cut it to 2-1 in the top of the fourth when Kerry Hall led off with a looping single to left, stole second and third, and came in on an error.

Prior to the game, the Bearcats opener in their final season at Bearcat Field, former Bearcats head coach Stan Killough threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Next season, the Bearcats will play at their new field on the new BHS campus.

Monday’s game was also the opener of the Bearcats 2009 Adidas\R&S Sports Invitational Tournament. They returned to tournament play Tuesday with a game against the Northview High School Cougars from Dothan, Ala. They will host the Cairo High School Syrupmakers Friday at 6 p.m. and the Marianna, Fla., High School Bulldogs Saturday at 5 p.m.

Lance Shenisk walked to open the Patriots’ winning two-run rally in the top of the seventh.

With two outs, he moved up on an error and scored the tying run on an RBI single to left by Billy Myers.

Kelly Hall, who reached on an error, came around to score the go-ahead run on an error.

Bearcats head coach Scott Miller said he thought Jeremy Coram, who allowed just one run in six innings, pitched very well.

“I was really pleased with Jeremy’s effort,” Miller said. “We are kind of watching our pitchers closely this early in the season. We have them on a pitch count. Jamey Sanders made some good pitches in the seventh inning as well,”