CLASS 3A : Harding Academy makes good use of space
Posted on Sunday, May 11, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/225409/
SEARCY — Gurdon Coach John Pace hoped his team’s pitching would be enough to hold off Harding Academy, but his defense couldn’t close the gaps Saturday at Harding University’s Jerry Moore Field.
Harding Academy’s hitters found the spacious gaps in the outfield late, rallying for four runs in the fifth inning to defeat Gurdon 6-4 and advance to the semifinals of the Class 3 A state tournament for the second consecutive season.
Gurdon scored three unearned runs with two outs on an error and three hits, including an RBI single by Aaron Cupp, and led 3-2 in the top of the fifth.
Gurdon starting pitcher Ethan Jones had been suffering from a sore shoulder, but he managed to keep the Wildcats in check early by striking out six batters in the first four innings. He allowed two batters to reach base in the fifth and was replaced by ace pitcher Brady Vandiver.
Vandiver, a senior lefthander who regularly clocks speeds of more than 80 mph, had thrown a 1-0 shutout victory over Manila in the opening round Friday and was available for five innings Saturday.
J. T. Fisher was the first batter to face Vandiver and doubled to deep left-center field, driving in Chase Gentry and James Dillard for a 4-3 lead. Harding Academy scored two more runs on a hit by Braxton Bennett and an error by the catcher.
Vandiver struck out two batters to end the inning, but Harding Academy led 6-3.
“When we finally got the lead, I thought he’d come in and we’d seal the deal,” Pace said. “Unfortunately, it didn’t happen for us today.... Harding Academy has a lot of talented hitters, and we knew that coming in.”
Harding Academy and Gurdon had played their firstround games at Harding Academy’s field, a reconstructed intramural softball facility with outfield fences about 80 feet closer than at Jerry Moore Field, which measures 390 feet in center field. Shots like Fisher’s double would have been home runs in most other ballparks.
Although Harding Academy Coach Dennis Rine said the large dimensions did not change his team’s philosophy at the plate, Pace said the big outfield added importance to speed and fielding.
“On a big field like this, being able to throw it around to all bases is a premium,” Pace said. “We talked in our meeting last night that anything that gets past the outfield or gets away from us is going for extra bases.”
Bennett pitched five innings to earn the victory. Josh Spears led the Wildcats with two hits and pitched the final two innings Gurdon (16-9 )...................... 000 031 0 — 4 7 3 Harding Academy (26-3 )......... 011 040 x — 6 7 3 Jones, Vandiver (5 ) and Cupp. Bennett, Spears (6 ) and Finley. W — Bennett. L — Jones. LINCOLN 11, GENOA CENTRAL 2 Lincoln pulled away with three runs in the third inning and sealed the victory with six in the fourth.
Lincoln’s Jason Rich and Trevor Center each had two hits and scored two runs. Justin Carr added a two-run home run for Lincoln. Genoa Central (11-13 )........ 000 002 0 — 2 6 3 Lincoln (20-9 )................... 003 602 x — 11 11 0 Bearden, Mosby (4 ) and Harvin. Pitts, Carr (7 ) and Rich. W — Pitts. L — Bearden. HR — Lincoln: Justin Carr. MARMADUKE 18, MAYFLOWER 2
Jacob Mason went 3 for 4 with 1 home run, 1 double and 5 RBI to help lead Marmaduke past Mayflower in the quarterfinals.
Leadoff batter Ray Taylor was 4 for 4. Mayflower was held scoreless until the fourth inning. Mayflower (15-11 ).................. 000 11 — 2 3 3 Marmaduke (15-8 )................. 265 5 x — 18 16 1 Dycus, Grace (3 ), Ja. Raney (3 ) and Jo. Raney. Jordan and Mason. W — Jordan. L — Dycus. HR — Marmaduke: Jacob Mason. CORNING 3, SHILOH CHRISTIAN 2
Matt Ryan hit an RBI single and Brad Morrow hit a two-run double off the left-field wall in Corning’s three-run fourth inning, which was enough for the victory.
Corning pitcher Zack Brown struck out seven. Shiloh Christian.................... 000 101 0 — 2 7 3 Corning.............................. 000 300 x — 3 5 0 Oliver and Finnell. Brown and Williams. W — Brown. L — Williams.