PRAIRIE GROVE -- The Tigers used a 3-run burst in the sixth inning to overcome Gravette by an 8-5 score on April 3.
Couper Allen singled and Jaden Higgins followed suit. Gravette switched pitchers, bringing in Trey Nunnally, but Clay Fidler got aboard to load the bases. Reed Orr capitalized by smashing a 2 RBI double. Drew Cates plated another run with a sacrifice fly to put the Tigers ahead, 8-5.
Orr retired the Lions in order to make quick work of the seventh on a minimal number of pitches, and Prairie Grove took the 3-run victory.
The Tigers led 5-0 after the second inning, only to have Gravette answer with 2 runs in the top of the third. Mason Dagley drew a walk, then William Owens' bunt was mishandled, allowing him to get on base. Kilby Roberts placed a line-drive past the pitcher, scoring Gravette's first run with an RBI single. Brady Moorman's sacrifice fly narrowed the gap in the score to 5-2. Brodie Parsons singled to advance Roberts to third, but Prairie Grove starting pitcher Chase Wade halted the Lions' rally with a strike-out.
The Lions hung around, holding Prairie Grove without another run until the sixth inning. By then, Gravette had tied the game at 5-5 with 3 runs in the fifth. Parsons took the loss for the Lions, pitching 5 2/3 innings and allowing 6 hits and 4 earned runs. Parsons also surrendered a pair of bases on balls, one of which accounted for the unearned run by Prairie Grove.
"Coach (Bryan) Bearden does a great job," said Prairie Grove coach Chris Mileham. "Coach Bearden just goes about his business the right way. It's just a matter of time before he has them playing well. We definitely won't take them lightly or take them for granted."
Silas Myane started Prairie Grove's big second inning, taking four straight balls for a leadoff walk. Wade advanced him to third with a single, setting the stage for Cole Speed's RBI single to break a scoreless deadlock. Allen's bunt was retrieved by Parsons coming off the mound, but he didn't have a play and Allen got to first. Higgins came up with the bases loaded and promptly drove in a run with a single. With the bases still loaded, Fidler sent a long ball that was caught in the outfield, plating a third Tiger run. Cates singled to drive in a fourth run and Austin Jentzsch brought in a fifth run with a double.
Gravette's offense was powered by the bats of Roberts (3-for-4, 1 RBI with a double), Kenton Tajchman (2-for-3, 1 RBI with a double), and Dylan Gruver (1-for-3, 1 RBI). Hunter Cole and Moorman also drove in runs, although neither had a hit.
Prairie Grove produced 10 hits of their own. Allen and Higgins both went 2 for 3, and Orr and Jentzsch contributed doubles. Orr (1 for 4) and Cates (1 for 3) drove in 2 runs apiece.
Wade earned the win for Prairie Grove on the mound, allowing 2 runs and 4 hits over 3 1/3 innings with 4 strike-outs and 3 bases on balls. Orr earned the save, allowing 3 earned runs on 4 hits over the final 3 2/3 innings.
Sports on 04/12/2017