REGIONAL BASEBALL ROUNDUPS

4A EAST REGION

GOSNELL 6, LONOKE 5

Carlos Blackmon’s RBI double jump started a three-run rally in the top of the fifth inning to lead the Pirates to a comefrom-behind, upset victory over the host team.

Gosnell, the fourth-seed out of the 3-4A, trailed 1-0 in the first but found itself tied at 2-2 heading into the fifth before scoring three runs in the top half of the frame to take control. The Pirates tacked on a run in the sixth inning, but Lonoke answered with a run in its at-bat and added two more in the bottom of the seventh. The Jackrabbits had the tying run on second with two outs but grounded out to end the game.

Will Camp, who picked up the victory for Gosnell, had three hits to lead the Pirates, who will take on Newport at noon today. Ricky Gable finished with two hits for Gosnell. Casey Martin, Nick Watson and Mikey Shinn had two hits apiece to pace Lonoke.

NEWPORT 2, VALLEY VIEW 0

A huge outing on the mound from Colton Willis was more than enough to send Newport into the regional semifinals with a shutout victory over Valley View. Willis allowed just one hit while striking out 10 to lead the Greyhounds, who scored single runs in both the third and fifth innings. Garrett Smith had two hits for Newport.

Valley View’s Hunter Nelson had a solid outing, but the Blazers weren’t able to get the timely hit they needed to move on. Seth Gray had Valley View’s only hit of the game.

BROOKLAND 2, STUTTGART 1

William Ballard’s two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning gave Brookland a lead it wouldn’t relinquish as the Bearcats held off a late Stuttgart rally. Brookland, who will take on Clinton at 2:30 p.m. today, trailed 1-0 after an inning but surged ahead after Ballard sent a pitch high over the left-field wall. After jumping out to its early one-run lead, Stuttgart didn’t have a runner advance past second base until the seventh inning. Preston Earlywine drew an inning-opening walk and eventually moved to third, but the Ricebirds left him stranded as Brookland reliever Devon Newton retired the final two batters.

Austen Martin got the victory for the Bearcats, allowing 7 hits and striking out 1 in 5 innings. Jack Morgan was saddled with the loss after giving up just 3 hits and 1 run in 6 innings.

CLINTON 2, POCAHONTAS 1

Kannon Bradley’s RBI-single in the bottom of the seventh inning capped a comeback for Clinton. The Yellow Jackets’ bats were silent for much of the game, thanks to Pocahontas pitcher Corey Brown. But Clinton was finally able to get to him in the seventh. Daniel Beavers started the rally with a lead-off single and would later score on an error. Fielder Dufrene reached base earlier on an error before Bradley provided the game-winning hit.

3A REGION 3

FLIPPIN 7, CORNING 1

Flippin earned a trip to the Class 3A state tournament with a victory over Corning. Ty Leininger went to the distance to pick up the win for the Bobcats, giving up three hits and striking out nine. Offensively, the Bobcats had 11 hits but got a lot of help from several Corning errors. Jacob Leonard, Dean Smyser and Shayne Rorie each had two hits for Flippin. MANILA 10, YELLVILLE-SUMMIT 2

After the Panthers scored the game’s first two runs in the top of the first inning, the rest of the contest belonged to the Lions. Shawn Scoggins went the distance for Manila as he allowed seven hits, but most importantly, kept the Panthers off the board in the last six innings. Manila scored eight of its 10 runs in the fourth and fifth innings. Brett Sweatman and Kyle Joyner each had three hits to lead Manila’s offense.

MELBOURNE 5, RIVERCREST 1

The Melbourne Bearkatz, the fourth seed from the 3A-1 East, upset 3A-3 champion Rivercrest. The Melbourne pitching duo of Derek Love and Jay Chesney held the Colts scoreless for most of the game while getting plenty of help at the plate. Luke Helm, Billy Savell and Kenny Stroud each had three hits for the Bearkatz who had 12 as a team. Helm added three RBI while Savell scored three times.

HARRISBURG 1, VALLEY SPRINGS 0

A pitchers’ duel between Harrisburg’s Brayden Honeycutt and Valley Springs’ James Trammell ended when Nathan Neal scored the game’s only run when he hit an RBI single with two outs in the top of the seventh, which eventually was the game winner for Harrisburg.

Both teams had just five hits each.

2A NORTH REGION

WALNUT RIDGE 10, RIVERSIDE 1

Walnut Ridge made easy work of Riverside, thanks to a one-hitter by Layne Ditto.

Ditto struck out four and did not walk a batter. Offensively Ditto finished 2 for 3 with 3 runs and 3 RBI. Cole Hicks finished 2 for 3 for Walnut Ridge also with 3 RBI of his own. Kollin Stone scored the lone run for Riverside.

EAST POINSETT COUNTY 5,

WHITE CO. CENTRAL 2

EPC scored four runs in the bottom of the first and it was all the Warriors needed offensively as they advanced to the state tournament, Clay Malone earned the victory for EPC with a complete game three hitter allowing only two runs and striking out five.

Corbin Truelove, Clay Malone, McKenzie Betts and Andy Tacker all crossed the plate in the first for EPC with Tacker adding on another run in the third. Chance Gray provided the big hit with a two RBI double in the first.

Kane Malnar took the loss for White County Central, allowing 5 runs on 3 hits while striking out 14 and walking 7. Garrett Horton and Christopher Miller scored the only runs for White County. while striking out 8 batters as Marked Tree defeated Sloan Hendrix.

Octavius Dean led Marked Tree at the plate going 2 for 2 along with two walks while scoring three runs to go with three RBI. Blake Daniels added three runs for Marked Tree.

Eric Hill took the loss for Sloan-Hendrix allowing 11 runs on 8 hits while striking out 9. Colby Johnson went 2 of 3 for Sloan-Hendrix with a run scored.

Each team scored one run in the first before Sloan Hendrix took a 2-1 lead after two innings. Marked then scored four runs each in the bottom of the third and fourth innings before adding two more in the sixth. Sloan Hendrix loan other run came in the top of the sixth.

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