ROGERS — For the last two seasons, Rogers High senior Austin Griffin watched Rogers Heritage walk away with four 7A/6A-West Conference victories against the Mounties.
Griffin made sure that streak ended Thursday night.
Griffin went 3-for-3 with three singles and he scored two runs to help lead an 11-hit Rogers attack as the Mounties run-ruled Heritage for a 10-0 victory in the first game of a conference doubleheader on a wet and cold night at Veterans Park. The loss ended the War Eagles’ hopes of extending the season to the Class 7A State Tournament.
Rogers completed the sweep by scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh to win the second game 11-10.
Griffin said one of the goals for the year was to defeat Heritage.
“It’s really exciting because you dream of this as a freshman,” Griffin said. “I was seeing the ball real well. We swung it well up and down the lineup. I’m really proud of the guys.”
Brett D’Amico also had three hits as the junior hit a RBI single in the Mounties’ (17-9, 10-4) three-run first and a run-scoring double that ended the game on the 10-run rule in the fifth inning. Brett Gentz also hit a RBI double and a RBI single while No. 9 batter and designated hitter Zach Arrick collected two RBIs on a single and solo home run.
“I thought we hit the ball up-and-down the lineup,” Rogers coach Matt Melson said. “We got some production out of our DH, which we hadn’t in a while. I’m real proud of Zach Arrick. Austin Griffin was a catalyst for us.”
Gentz went the distance to pickup the pitching victory. He gave up just two singles while striking out four and walking four. Heritage (17-14, 5-9) left four runners stranded in scoring position the first four innings. Colton Wetzler and Connor Cawthon had the Heritage hits.
“I can’t say enough about Brett Gentz,” Melson said. “I thought on a tough night to throw strikes, Brett pounded the zone. There where big spots in the game where Brett pitched around trouble. I thought the walks were going to get him in trouble, but he worked out of some jams.”
Rogers will travel to Fort Smith Northside for a nonconference game on Monday before opening the state tournament as the No. 4 seed from the West on Thursday at Veterans Park.
“We still have a lot to play for,” Melson said. “Getting that fourth seed was important. At this point, I’m real proud of the way we are swing the bats and taking care of business.”
Heritage^000^00^—^0^2^2
Rogers^302^32^—^10^11^1
Murphy, Cahill (3) and Ward; Gentz and Griffin. W - Gentz. L - Murphy. HRs - Rogers, Arrick (1).