CLASS 2A BASEBALL : Bears’ Robinson in ‘groove’
Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/225618/
PINE BLUFF — Daniel Robinson hit a home run and pitched the final four innings of Woodlawn’s 6-5 victory over Parkers Chapel in Monday’s semifinal of the Class 2 A State Tournament at Taylor Field.
The senior left-hander held the offensive-minded Trojans to two singles while striking out four batters and working around three walks and a hit batter.
“There’s no price you can put on experience and Daniel Robinson proved that today,” Woodlawn Coach Tommy Richardson said. “Once he gets into a groove, he’s tough.”
The Bears (32-5 ) advance to the state championship game for the second consecutive year. Woodlawn will play Dierks (24-6 ) in Friday’s title game at Fayetteville.
Alex Donaldson drove in two runs for the Bears with a basesloaded walk and a single. Tyler Rushing brought in a run with an infield single, and Nathan Edwards drove in a run with a fielder’s choice.
Woodlawn overcame a 3-0 deficit after the first inning and turned back a Trojans team that had collected 25 runs and 21 hits through the first two games of the state tournament.
Parkers Chapel (32-7 ) left eight runners on base.
“What stands out the most is that we had three innings in a row where we had two runners on base and didn’t get the big two-out hit that we had been getting all season,” Parkers Chapel Coach Mark Looney said. “We managed to scratch a run here and a run there, but when we had a chance to tie it up or take the lead, we just didn’t get that hit.”
Parkers Chapel senior Jake Atwell retired the Bears in order in the first inning, but Woodlawn teed off on the Trojans’ ace during the next two innings, rapping out seven hits, including Robinson’s home run, two doubles by Tyler Poss and a double by Shawn Spakes.
By the time Looney brought in junior Tyler Cameron to relieve Atwell with one out in third, the Bears were holding a 5-3 lead. Cameron allowed only two singles in 4 2 / 3 innings. He struck out three, hit a batter and walked no one.
Rushing started for Woodlawn. He allowed a runscoring single to Wes Shields and a two-run single to Alan Tyson in the first inning, but Rushing retired the Trojans in order in the second inning, which was the first time Parkers Chapel had not scored in an inning during the state tournament.
Rushing also struck out the side in the third inning, but when he gave up a lead-off walk to Dylan Shields to start the fourth, Richardson brought in Robinson.
After throwing one pitch to batter Adam Morgan, Robinson picked off pinch runner Zach Abbott.
“Coach said the first opportunity I had for a pick to take it to the house,” said Robinson, who pumped his fist and jumped in excitement after the pickoff play. “I was so ready to win this game. Last year we made it and got beat. This year we made it, and we’re going to win this sucker.”
The pickoff turned out to be huge play. Parkers Chapel loaded the bases with two outs when Cameron walked, Atwell was hit by a pitch and Jacob Midyett singled to left, but the rally ended when Shane Harris grounded back to Robinson. Woodlawn (32-5 )...................... 024 000 0 — 6 9 0 Parkers Chapel (32-7 )................ 300 110 0 — 5 4 0 Rushing, Robinson (4 ) and Poss; Atwell, Cameron (3 ) and Morgan. W — Robinson. L — Atwell. HR — Woodlawn: Daniel Robinson. DIERKS 10, HAMPTON 1
Chase Mitchell, David Bray and Eric Billings each had two hits and Drew Walston drove in two runs as the Outlaws pounded the Bulldogs (14-15 ) in the second semifinal game.
Dierks roughed up Hampton starter Brian Launius for seven runs on five hits in the first two innings. Bray, the winning pitcher, allowed only three singles in five innings. Cody Chandler threw three hitless innings in relief. Chandler struck out five and gave up only one walk.
Dierks turned two double plays. Hampton (14-15 )...................... 000 100 0 — 1 3 2 Dierks (24-6 )........................ 430 111 x — 9 12 1 Launius, J. Stokes (2 ) and Lucas; Bray, Chandler (5 ) and Simmons. W — Bray. L — Launius.