FARMINGTON -- One big inning was enough for Farmington to overtake Siloam Springs.
The Cardinals scored seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and defeated the Panthers 10-4 on Tuesday at Cardinal Field in 6A/5A Conference action.
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Junkerman, Cook (6), Hawbaker (6), and Pool; Silvis, Perona (7) and Cheney. W — Silvis. L — Junkerman. HRs — None.
The game was tied 3-3 with two runners on base and two outs when Ryan Larkin hit a single off reliever Chandler Cook. The ball got past the right fielder, and all three runners scored to put Farmington ahead 6-3.
The Cardinals continued their surge and added four more runs in the inning with the help of two-run singles from Kelton Price and Logan Bobak.
"We're still searching for our true lineup," Farmington coach Jay Harper said. "We're moving kids around and trying to find who we want and where we want them. But (our players) did a good job at the plate late and we got some timely hits."
Farmington's sixth-inning outburst ruined a solid pitching performance by Siloam Springs left-hander Chance Junkerman, who left with the game tied 3-3. Junkerman took the loss when he walked consecutive batters after retiring the first two in the sixth.
"It was just an unfortunate inning where we had a couple of walks and let a ball roll to the fence," Siloam Springs coach Alan Hardcastle said. "We pride ourselves on getting that third out and when we got to two outs there, we just couldn't finish."
Dawson Armstrong had a double and Cook a single in the first inning when Siloam Springs took a 3-0 lead. The Panthers (1-3) were helped by sloppy play in the field from the Cardinals (4-2), who committed three errors in the first two innings.
"That's the first time we've been sloppy in a game, and I can't tell you why," Harper said. "But it happens in baseball, and they did a good job of coming back and playing through that."
Farmington settled down defensively in the middle inning and rode a strong pitching performance from Ben Silvis, who earned the victory with relief help from Derek Perona. Trent McChristian showcased Farmington's improved play in the latter innings with a running catch near the fence in center field.
"Ben did a great job," Harper said. "He got his first win over a conference opponent, and you can't ask for more than what he did."
Armstrong had two doubles and a sacrifice fly to lead Siloam Springs.
Sports on 03/08/2017