Sheridan batters Searcy, wins in five

BENTON -- Sheridan's batters gave senior pitcher Colton Caple all the support he needed Thursday afternoon.

Juniors Hunter Hicks and Chance Wallingsford each had three hits and two RBI as the Yellowjackets defeated Searcy 11-1 in five innings in the first round of the Class 6A state tournament at Panther Field.

Caple gave up 4 hits, struck out 4 and walked 1 as Sheridan (30-5) earned a berth into today's quarterfinals against Mountain Home.

"We had some guys get three hits, hit home runs and doubles, but Colton is one of those kids who there wasn't much to him when he first came out (for baseball)," Sheridan Coach Mike Moore said. "But here he is a senior, pitching in an important game in the state tournament and he throws a four-hitter. I'm just so proud for him."

Sheridan finished with 12 hits, including a two-run home run by senior David Vilches. Wallingsford singled twice and his double in the fifth inning was a game-ending hit. Hicks was 3 for 3 with a triple, a double and a single. He never got a fourth at-bat to go for a home run, which would have completed a cycle.

"I didn't realize I had a chance to hit for the cycle until my first-base coach told me," Hicks said. "But I'm glad (Wallingsford) got that hit to end it. It was a nice one."

"We do have a good hitting team," Moore said. "If we come locked in, stick with our approach and are not distracted by other things, we're tough outs."

Three of Searcy's four hits were for extra bases, but the Lions never had more than one hit per inning. Searcy's run came when freshman Tanner Leonard drew a two-out walk in the third inning and senior Luke Wolfe followed with a RBI triple.

Senior Adrian Hannah and junior Andrew Stanley each had doubles for Searcy.

Seniors David Rainwater and Nick Whitley each had two hits and drove in a run for Sheridan.

MARION 7,

LAKE HAMILTON 6

Junior Peyton McElroy drew a bases-loaded walk in the seventh inning to drive in the game-winning run for the Patriots (14-15).

Lake Hamilton (11-15) took a 6-5 lead in the top of the seventh when sophomore Payton Winston scored on an error, but Marion used five walks and a hit batter in the bottom of the seventh to advance to today's quarterfinal game against Greenwood.

Winston and junior Ben Slate each had two hits each for Lake Hamilton. Slate had a home run and a triple. Tanner King drove in two runs. Four Lake Hamilton pitchers issued a combined 11 walks and hit two batters.

Marion sophomore Hayden Hodge doubled, singled and drove in two runs.

PINE BLUFF 5,

RUSSELLVILLE 4

Rod Stinson lined a bases-loaded double to right-center field with two outs in the top of the seventh inning to break a 2-2 tie and the Zebras (12-12) held on for a victory over the Cyclones (12-14).

Russellville responded with a two-run, two-out triple by Bryson George in the bottom of the seventh, but winning pitcher Jaylon Deshazier got senior Carter Thessing to fly out to deep left field to end the game.

Pine Bluff started its seventh-inning rally with two-out single from junior Wesley Hunt. Senior Brandon Hunt reached on an error and Deshazier was intentionally walked to set the stage for Stinson's double.

Deshazier struck out eight and walked two. He allowed five hits, three of which came in the seventh inning.

Russellville pitcher Joel Barker struck out seven and walked three. He allowed eight hits.

Junior Ryan Talley doubled twice for Russellville. Talley and senior Ryan Meador each drove in a run.

Sports on 05/12/2017

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