GRAVETTE -- The Lions got out to a six-run lead in the fourth inning and held on for a 6-5 victory over Greenwood on Feb. 28.
Greenwood scored five runs in a failed comeback attempt in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Weston Pschier, a single by Braden Skaggs, a single by Grant Karens, a single by Brady Pettigrew, and a stolen base by Karens.
Gravette scored two runs in the second inning when Justin Trucks singled to left field, Isaiah Larson doubled to center, and Cyric Day later in the inning singled to center and drove in two runs.
The Lions added four more runs in the fourth. Day walked and scored on a wild pitch, Rhett Hilger drove in two runs with a ground-ball single to center, and Trucks drove in another with a single to the shortstop.
Trucks was the winning pitcher for Gravette, going four and two-thirds innings, allowing five runs on five hits, striking out three and walking one. Hunter Roughton and Larson helped to close out the game in relief.
Austin Mitchell was on the mound for Greenwood. Mitchell surrendered six runs on five hits over three and two-thirds innings, striking out seven. Aiden Kennon threw two and a third innings in relief.
Trucks went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead Gravette with hits. Karens led Greenwood with two hits in four at-bats.
Grove 6, Gravette 5
After being down by five, the Gravette Lions fought back in the fourth and fifth innings. The comeback wasn't quite enough, with the Ridgerunners from Grove, Okla., holding on for a 6-5 win in Grove on Thursday.
Grove took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the first, three more in the third, and one in the fourth. Gravette scored four in the fourth and one more in the fifth for the 6-5 finish.
Hayden Chandler pitched five innings for Grove, allowing four hits and five runs while striking out 10.
Rhett Hilger was on the mound for Gravette. The righthander lasted two and a third innings, allowing no hits and four runs while striking out one. Kyle Murphy and Hunter Roughton entered the game in relief, throwing two and two-thirds innings, respectively.
Justin Trucks, Isaiah Larson, Gunnar Woolard, and Murphy all had one hit to lead Gravette Varsity Lions.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer Gravette's Justin Trucks throws a pitch during play against Greenwood on Feb. 28 at Gravette High School.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer Gravette's Cyric Day leads off third base during play against Greenwood on Feb. 28 at Gravette High School.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer Gravette's Isaiah Larson snags a deep fly ball during play against Greenwood on Feb. 28 at Gravette High School.