FARMINGTON -- Down to their last at-bat, the Gentry Pioneers thought they had a chance, with one out and a runner on, only to have Farmington turn a double play.
The Pioneers hopes instantly evaporated when Farmington closer Kyle Gates induced Gentry junior Dylan Rayburn to hit into a 6-4-3 double play. The game, which featured a preview of 4A-1 baseball in 2019 with the Cardinals rejoining the league, ended with Farmington winning 8-1 at home on Monday, March 12.
Rayburn started on the mound. He threw 3.1 innings before running into trouble in the fourth. Rayburn allowed 5 runs on 5 hits. He gave up 3 bases-on-balls, two of which were caused by hitting batters. Only 2 of the runs were earned, the other 3 caused by Gentry miscues.
Farmington scored runs by committee. No Cardinal scored twice. Eight different players crossed the plate. Senior Hayden VanLaningham drove in 4 runs. Three other Farmington RBIs came from Cody Parrish, Drew Sturgeon (2-of-4) and Colton Kilgore. Harper wants the Cardinals to be sharp.
Gentry didn't fare well at the plate. The Pioneers were a collective 3-of-25. Junior outfielder Peyton Wright went 1-for-2 with a single. He scored Gentry's only run. Rayburn was 1-of-3 with a double. Ayden Smartt (1-of-4) had the only other hit for Gentry. Damon Phillips pitched 1.2 scoreless innings while Jacob Lothes pitched an inning giving up 3 runs on 2 hits.
Sports on 03/21/2018