Redbirds win fourth in a row
The Memphis Redbirds rallied for two runs in the top of the ninth inning for a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the division-rival Iowa Cubs on Thursday night at Principal Park.
Memphis (64- 69) has won four straight and stayed within two games of Omaha in the PCL American Northern Division with 11 games to play. It was the club’s 13th last-at-bat victory and only the second win when trailing after eight innings this season.
Redbirds shortstop Greg Garcia hit a leadoff double in the ninth and scored the tying run on a Travis Tartamella RBI single to right. Pinch hitter Chad Huffman followed with a sacrifice fly to score Justin Christian, who had reached on a walk.
First baseman Brock Peterson doubled while recording his team-leading 37th multi-hit game. Garcia and Mike O’Neill also added two hits. It’s finally here. After a summer filled with quarterback camps, lineman camps, kicking camps and even deep-snapper camps, it’s time to put away the shorts, put on the pads and play high school football for real. No running-clock jamborees or controlled scrimmages. Friday night, everyone is playing for keeps. Several of the teams ranked in The Commercial Appeal’s preseason Dandy Dozen will be on the road to open the year. But there will still be plenty of quality games in the Shelby-Metro area, highlighted by a matchup between No. 3 Olive Branch and No. 4 Ridgeway. Here’s a look at that one, plus the other Dandy Dozen games for the week. Games are Friday unless otherwise noted.
GAME OF THE WEEK
(4) Ridgeway at (3) Olive Branch, Rocconi have asked for a tougher opener? The Tigers, always one of the top teams in talent-rich Mississippi, are loaded once again with quarterback Rip Kirk (6-4, 247), offensive lineman Terrence Malone (6-3, 300) and defensive end Matthew Davis (6-2, 245) leading the way. (6) CBHS at Montgomery Bell Academy, in the jamboree, while Anthony Quinn is capable of big plays on both sides of the ball. Millington will try to get the ball in the hands of senior Lakeron Garcia early and often. Kirby at (10) Arlington, 7 p.m.: The Tigers looked sharp defensively in the jamboree and quarterback Hunter Sheffield should thrive in coach Chris Wiley’s open offense. Kirby should be improved this year, but probably won’t have enough to match Arlington. Cordova at (11) Houston, 7 p.m.: Two coaches make their debuts in this one, Will Hudgens at Houston and Anthony Jones, who moves to Cordova after two fine years at Westwood. Keep an eye on Houston defensive back Amanze Onwuka, one of the area’s top cover men. Douglass vs. (12) Craigmont at Crump, Saturday at 5:30 p.m.: Andrew McIntyre and Kristian Wilkerson give the Chiefs one of the best quarterbackreceiver combos in the city. Wide receiver Cinque Reynolds is one of the standouts for a young Douglass team.
FRIDAY’S OTHER GAMES
7 p.m. — Overton at Amanda Elzy, Wooddale at Bartlett, Collierville at Bolton, Carver at Brighton, Horn Lake at Center Hill, Jackson Christian at First Assembly, Harding at Friendship Christian, Fayette Acad. at Halls, Northside at Hardin County, Washington at Haywood County, Central at Hernando, St. George’s at Jackson Trinity Christian, Fayette-Ware at Lausanne, KIPP at Macon Road, MAHS at Melrose, Covington at Munford, Magnolia Heights at Northpoint, Oakhaven at Ripley-Tenn., West Memphis Christian at Rossville Christian, Lake Cormorant at SenatobiaMiss., East vs. Southwind at Fairgrounds, Kingsbury at St. Benedict, TiptonRosemark Aca. at Tupelo Christian, Hamilton vs. Westwood at Whitehaven.
SATURDAY’S GAMES
3 p.m. — Manassas vs. Raleigh-Egypt at Crump. 5:30 p.m. — Fairley vs. Hillcrest at Whitehaven. 7 p.m. — ECS at Briarcrest, Mitchell at Whitehaven. 8 p.m. — Frayser vs. Trezevant at Crump.