Lions fall behind early in home game against Saints

April 20, 2021 at 8:02 a.m.

by Michael Eckels

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Jake Carver delivers a pitch to home plate during the third inning of the Gravette-Shiloh Christian baseball game April 13 at Lion Ballpark in Gravette. Carver lasted four innings for the Lions, throwing a total of 86 pitches across home plate.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Jake Carver delivers a pitch to home plate during the third inning of the Gravette-Shiloh Christian baseball game April 13 at Lion Ballpark in Gravette. Carver lasted four innings for the Lions, throwing a total of 86 pitches across home plate.

GRAVETTE -- As the regular 2021 baseball season winds down, the conference race is intensifying as teams in the 4A -1 conference put in their final push for the district, regional and state playoffs.

The Gravette Lions played host to the Shiloh Christian Saints on April 13 in Gravette. Unfortunately for Lion fans, the outcome of the game went in favor of the Saints.

Shiloh grabbed the early lead in the top of the first inning with four runners crossing home plate. The Saints continued to build their lead with two more runs in the top of the third. The Lions fought back in the bottom of the inning, but the Saints added five more in the fourth and three in the fifth to extend their lead to 14.

Gravette managed only one more run before the contest ended, giving the Shiloh Christian Saints the conference win, 14-3, over the Lions.

Gunnar Woolard, Alex Beard and McCoy Kildow crossed home plate for the only Lion runs of the contest

Gravette managed 20 at-bats for the night, with three runs on four hits and three RBIs. Gravette batters walked four times and eight struck out.

Jake Carver was on the mound for the Lions, completing four innings and delivering 86 pitches, allowing 11 runs on nine hits, with five earned runs, striking out five and walking two. He was relieved by Hunter Roughton who completed the remaining inning, delivering 20 pitches. He allowed three runs on five hits.

The Gravette Lions were scheduled to take on the Springdale Bulldogs at home Friday night. Due to rain that began late in the morning and continued throughout the afternoon, the games were canceled.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS First baseman Noah Tawney (4) catches a high throw in an effort to tag the Saint runner during the third inning of the Gravette-Shiloh Christian conference baseball contest in Gravette April 13. Tawney missed the tag at first but his extra effort at catching the ball prevented the base runner from advancing to second.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS First baseman Noah Tawney (4) catches a high throw in an effort to tag the Saint runner during the third inning of the Gravette-Shiloh Christian conference baseball contest in Gravette April 13. Tawney missed the tag at first but his extra effort at catching the ball prevented the base runner from advancing to second.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Cy Hilger (front) catches a wild throw from the Lion catcher in an attempt to tag the Saints runner at third base during the Gravette-Shiloh Christian conference contest at Lion Ballpark in Gravette April 13. The catch forced Hilger from the base and the Saints runner was safe.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Cy Hilger (front) catches a wild throw from the Lion catcher in an attempt to tag the Saints runner at third base during the Gravette-Shiloh Christian conference contest at Lion Ballpark in Gravette April 13. The catch forced Hilger from the base and the Saints runner was safe.