Rubber-armed McKinzie leads Lions into first-round matchup vs. CAC
Posted on Friday, May 9, 2008
GRAVETTE - Ethan McKinzie picked up two wins at the regional tournament to lead the Gravette Lions to their first state tournament appearance since 2004.
The Lions will continue to ride the junior pitcher as the Class 4 A State Baseball Tournament begins today in Jonesboro.
McKinzie, who appeared in all three games at the 4 A North Regional, will get the start when the Lions (21-9 ) play Central Arkansas Christian (14-12 ) at 4 p.m. at Arkansas State University.
The tournament will be played at two sites - Valley View High and ASU - through the first two rounds.
Gravette coach Vernon Scott said if his team continues to hit the ball, they should have a shot against anyone they face in Jonesboro. "I just think if we hit, we always stand a chance," Scott said. "And with McKinzie on the mound, we give ourselves a chance as well. "McKinzie (8-2 ) picked up a complete-game win, a win in relief and a complete-game loss at the regional tournament. But he threw just 94 pitches between in 8 2 / 3 combined innings on Monday and Tuesday. "We're going to use McKinzie as long as he can go (today )," Scott said. "In my opinion he's still fairly fresh."
McKinzie, who pitched 97 innings last year, entered postseason play with just 47 innings because an ankle injury from football kept him off the mound until after spring break. Union Christian got four late runs off McKinzie in Tuesday's regional final.
He was strong in 1 2 / 3 innings of relief Monday, striking out four of the five batters he faced and ending the seventh inning by picking off the Clarksville runner who hit a single.
The Lions won it in the bottom of the inning on Hayden McAfee's double down the line to score Brett Meek from first to earn a trip to the regional finals.
McAfee, riding an eight-game hit streak into the state tournament, has been one of the Lions' hottest hitters.
"He's been consistent all year," Scott said. "He hits out of the seven hole and is kind of deceptive down there. He hits for power and hits consistency."
McAfee gives the Lions a solid bat at the bottom of a lineup that is very strong at the top with Dillion Pruitt, Quintin Eden, McKinzie and Blake Rutherford. Scott hopes his team keeps hitting well against CAC.
The Mustangs finished second in the 7-4 A Conference with a 6-1 mark and finished third at their district tournament.
The lost to conference, district and eventual region champ Ashdown in the 4 A South semifinals and lost to defending state champ Nashville - for the second time in postseason play - in the third-place game.
The 7-4 A dominated the regional, sending all four teams - Ashdown, DeQueen, Nashville and CAC - to the state tournament.
If the Lions get past CAC, junior Manny Rogers (5-3 ) will likely get the start against East region champ Valley View (28-2 ).
"Rogers has come through for me to make a solid No. 2," Scott said. "He's not going to overpower anybody but he hits his spots and changes speed. He does a good job keeping batters offbalance."
Rogers held Clarksville scoreless for 5 1 / 3 innings, allowing 4 hits in the no decision.
FEEDBACK:
Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online
