Lions defeat Tigers, Eagles at home

GRAVETTE — After playing at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale on April 14, the Gravette Lions returned to their home field for two big wins against the West Fork Tigers and the Huntsville Eagles.

In the April 16 contest against West Fork, Mason Dagley went five-for-five at the plate. A double in the first and second innings, two triples (one in the fourth, one in the fifth), and a single in the sixth contributed to the Lions scoring effort for the day.

Kenton Tajchman started on the mound for the Lions. He completed three innings, allowed three hits and gave up four runs, while striking out three and walking two. He was replaced by Jonah Keener, who completed the remaining three innings, allowing five hits and four runs, striking out three and walking two.

Gravette 11, Huntsville 6

The April 19 game was much closer.

Gravette scored two runs in the bottom of the first on errors by Huntsville for the early lead. The Eagles answered with one each in the second and third. A run in the bottom of the inning allowed the Lions to retake the lead.

Huntsville drove home three runs in the top of the sixth, but an eight-run rally in the bottom of the inning gave the Gravette Lions a sixpoint lead with the Eagles’ last chance to win hinging on the outcome of the seventh inning.

Drake Short, Bailey Soule and Bradley Moorman all had two hits, which contributed to the 11-run scoring effort for the Lions.

Hunter Cole was on the mound for Gravette throughout the seven-inning contest, throwing 106 pitches. He allowed five earned runs on seven hits, struck out seven and walked one.