Sports

Outlaws squeak by Indians May 12, 2008 - No reporter cited

Dewayne Holloway
Sports Editor

WHITE HALL - It took three pitchers and seven innings for the Dierks Outlaws to overcome the tenacious Poyan Indians Saturday, May 10, in the second round of the 2A State Tournament in White Hall.

Drew Walston started the game for the Outlaws in what looked to be an easy win for Dierks, but the Indians refused to accept defeat and tied the game in the sixth inning.

The Outlaws scored two more runs in the top of the seventh to give the Outlaws a 9-7 lead. Cody Chandler took the mound for the Outlaws in the bottom of the seventh inning to earn the 9-8 victory.

Dierks got things started quickly with Chase Mitchell reaching base on a hit that got past the shortstop and David Bray reached on a shot to center field.

Walston drove in the first runs of the game when he went yard for a three run homer over the left field fence for a 3-0 lead.

Walston dominated from the mound striking out two while giving up one hit in the bottom of the first inning.

The Indians proved they could score too with a run in the second inning.

24 got the inning started by reaching base on an error. Poyan was able to load the bases without achieving a single hit before 2 snuck one up the middle scoring 24.

The Bray-Walston combination was good for a run once again when Bray reached on a hit to centerfield before trotting home on a rope by Walston that bounced off the left field fence.

Joey Osbourne came in as a pinch runner for Walston and later scored giving the Outlaws a 5-1 lead.

In the fourth inning Mark Hill led off with a walk, but was thrown out at second when teammate Mitchell hit the ball to the shortstop.

Mitchell moved into scoring position by stealing second base. Walston was then intentionally walked to give the Outlaws two possible runs.

Chandler answered the challange with the next at bat by firing off a shot to right field scoring Hill.

Walston entered the sixth inning with twelve strikeouts, but lost sight of the strike zone walking the first two batters he faced.

Bray was asked to take the mound after Walston gave up a single to load the bases for the Indians. Bray appeared to have things under control when he struck out the first batter he faced, but then gave up a double to center field bringing the score to 7-3.

Bray went on to strike out three batters total in the inning, but not before Poyan was able to tie the game 7-7.

Undaunted by the comeback, the Outlaws focused on regaining the lead in the top of the seventh inning.

Ethan Mays reached base on a walk and was followed by Cody Stapp who beat out another beautiful bunt for a second baserunner.

Hill walked to load the bases giving Dierks the perfect opportunity to put the game away.

Mitchell followed him to the plate and drove Mays in for the go ahead run. Bray followed suit with a sacrifice fly that scored Stapp giving the Outlaws a 9-7 lead.

Poyan was unwilling to end their season and came out with a single by 24 as he tried to get another rally started.

Bray walked the next batter and then came out of the game with a sore elbow.

Chandler entered the game focused on preserving the win for the Outlaws. Things didn’t go as well as hoped when Chandler hit 17 to give the Indians the tying run on first base.

11 scored on a deep flyball to centerfield to bring Poyan to within one run, but the Outlaws regained control and ended the game with a 9-8 victory.

Chandler was credited with the win for the Outlaws giving him the both victories in this year’s state tournament.

1 pitched a complete game for the Indians and had five strikeouts and six walks in the loss.

Walston dominated the Indians with his bat. Walston was a double shy of hitting for the cycle and scored three runs while driving in four. Walston also drew two intentional walks.

Chase Mitchell hit well from the lead off position scoring two runs off three hits and drove in the go ahead run in the seventh inning.

Bray also had two hits, two runs and drove in one run in the Outlaws 9-8 victory.

Dierks will play Hampton Monday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m. at White Hall High School in Pine Bluff.

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