Webster County teams see rallies fall just short
Webster County's participants at the Grand Slam 12-year-old All-star Tournament at Mckee Park Friday had late game comebacks come up short in its respective games.
Eupora was down 14-6 to Louisville going into the bottom of the third when a seven-run inning got it within striking range, but the time limit prevented them from completing the rally and lost a 1413 decision.
It was much of the same for Mathiston as it trailed Winona 8-1 in the fourth inning, but scored three runs to cut the margin in half. Mathiston could not get any closer and fell 8-4.
Both Webster County teams are 0-1 in pool play that continues today before the double-elimination round starts later in the afternoon.
Louisville jumped out to a 5-0 lead against Eupora in the first inning.
Eupora got two runs back in its half of the first without the help of a hit as Dale Britt reached on an error and scored,
while Brooks Powell walked and scored on a wild pitch.
After Louisville put up a six spot in the second frame, Eupora countered with four runs of its own. Gage Hubbard and scored on a wild pitch, while Tre Johnson walked and came home on a ground out by Britt. Jacob Crimm kept the inning going with a single and scored on an RBI single by Powell. Powell came across the plate on a wild pitch.
Louisville got three runs in the third and it needed every one of them as Eupora scored its seven runs to get to within one.
Kyler Kent, C.J. Oliver and Hubbard all walked to load the bases for Eupora, then Johnson walked to force Kent home for the first run. Oliver came home, then Hubbard scored on a balk, Britt drove home a run with a single. Britt also scored later in the inning, Crimm reached on an error and crossed the dish on another miscue, Powell reached on an error and came home on a wild pitch. That was all Eupora could get.
Briggs Mcilwain was the starting pitcher for Eupora, while Hubbard and Crimm also worked in relief.
Eupora is scheduled to face Corinth in its second game of pool play today at 12:50 p.m.
Winona 8, Mathiston 4
Winona scored two runs in the first inning and one more in the second to gain a 3-0 advantage.
After Mathiston got one run in the second as Annon Boykin singled and scored on an error, Winona put the game away with four runs in the third.
Winona added one more run for insurance, then Mathiston answered with three scores in the fourth to make it close. With two outs, Bryce Bigham doubled and scored on an error, then Boykin singled and scored his second run of the game and Tanner Mitchell walked and came home on an error. Kaden Dailey singled and Campbell Flora walked, but were left stranded.
Mathiston used two pitchers in the game as Bigham started and lasted two innings, while Dailey came in and struck out three.
In its second pool play game, Mathiston will face Corinth at 11 a.m. today.