CLASS 3A BASEBALL : Marmaduke finds way to final
Posted on Tuesday, May 13, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/225619/
SEARCY — Marmaduke Coach Larry Willis said his program has come a long way since losing their home field two seasons ago.
The Marmaduke Greyhounds committed five errors but held off Lincoln in the late innings for a 5-4 victory at Harding University’s Jerry Moore Field on Monday in the Class 3 A State Tournament semifinals.
Marmaduke’s baseball field was destroyed by a tornado in 2006, leaving the team homeless for the better part of two years. The Greyhounds played their next 49 games on the road before finally playing their final two home games of this season in their new venue.
Marmaduke qualified for the state tournament last season despite its all-road schedule. This season, the team reached the semifinals for the first time since 1989 by defeating Mayflower 18-2 in Saturday’s quarterfinals.
“I guess you can call us the ‘road warriors,’” Marmaduke Coach Larry Willis said.
Marmaduke (16-8 ) took advantage of Lincoln’s errors in the second inning. Dexter Jordan singled and scored on a three-base throwing error in the same play. Trent Smith, who had singled to get on base, scored on an error by Cody Smith on a failed pickoff attempt, and Marmaduke led 2-0.
Lincoln (20-10 ) loaded the bases bases to lead off the second inning, but Trent Smith struck out next three batters.
“Innings like that really kill momentum,” Lincoln Coach Jonathan Johnson said. “We’ve had situations like that a lot this year. We get people on base in scoring position, then we can’t plate them.”
Lincoln added a run in the fourth inning and tied Marmaduke 2-2 on an RBI single into center field by Seth Pitts in the fifth inning.
Trent Smith hit a two-run triple in the sixth inning and later scored on a single by Dane Barnum as Marmaduke reclaimed the lead 5-2.
Marmaduke nearly lost the lead in the sixth inning, committing three errors and allowing two runs, but Trent Smith was able to end the inning without further damage.
“When errors start happening behind them, a lot of high school pitchers just fold up, but Trent didn’t,” Willis said. “He took the team on his shoulders and carried us. It definitely wasn’t our best game defensively.”
Smith (6-1 ) struck out eight batters and allowed six hits in a complete-game performance. Smith, who had broken his foot in the last game of basketball season, joined the baseball team midway through the year. Marmaduke (16-8 ).......................... 020 003 0 — 5 6 5 Lincoln (20-10 ).............................. 000 112 0 — 4 7 3 T. Smith and Mason. S. Smith and Rich. W — T. Smith. L — S. Smith. HARDING ACADEMY 10, CORNING 4
Harding Academy (27-3 ) earned a spot in the state championships for the first time by defeating Corning (17-9 ) in the 3 A State Tournament semifinals at Jerry Moore Field on Monday.
Harding Academy started its baseball program five years ago and reached the semifinals for the first time last year before losing to Abundant Life 14-0.
“It’s great that we’re able to continue to build,” said Harding Academy Coach Dennis Rine, who has been coaching the team since the program began.
Lance Carr hit a run-scoring triple and scored on a hit by T. J. Thompson as Harding Academy took a 3-0 lead after two innings. Corning (17-9 )................................. 001 003 0 - 4 9 4 Harding Academy (27-3 ) 031 501 x - 10 10 4 Hart and Williams. Lincoln and Finley. W — Lincoln. L — Hart.