Simpson, Hicks advance to Class C seminoles; Pitkin falls
Published 12:49 pm Wednesday, May 11, 2022
- (Metro Creative Services)
BWS Sports
Not errors, nor having to move to a different field could deter the ninth-seeded Simpson Broncos from advancing to the Class C state baseball tournament.
After jumping out to an early 5-run lead, the Broncos held on for a 7-6 victory over the top-ranked Harrisonburg Bulldogs in a Class C quarterfinal game that began in Simpson but ended at Hicks High School.
With the win, the Broncos will take to the field at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at Sulphur’s McMurry Park. They will face the winner of the game Saturday evening between No. 4 Hornbeck and No. 12 Evans.
Simpson raced out to a 4-0 advantage after one inning of play and tacked on a run in the second to take a 5-run lead.
However, the Bulldogs fought back, scoring four runs in the top of the third, taking advantage of some Simpson errors to trim the gap to one run, 5-4.
Simpson responded with a run in the bottom of the frame and each team scored a run in the fourth to send the game into the fifth with the Broncos leading, 7-5.
In the bottom of the fifth, the decision was made to turn the lights on. However, the left field side wouldn’t illuminate. After deliberation, the game was moved to Hicks to be completed.
Once to Hicks, the Broncos were able to hold off the Bulldogs, despite giving up a run in the seventh, advancing to the state tournament after a 2-year hiatus.
Ethan Nash earned the win, giving up five runs on three hits over five innings with seven strikeouts. Chase Taylor pitched the final two innings to earn the save.
Taylor had a pair of hits and two RBIS, while Mike Merriman had a double and two RBIs. Nash finished with a hit and two runs scored, while Brayden Cutts had a hit and an RBI.
Hicks…….16
Kilbourne….0
HICKS – The No. 6 Kilbourne Hawks were no match for third-seeded Hicks.
Brad Pelt pitched four solid innings and Zach Haymon had a pair of doubles and two RBIs as the Pirates decimated the Hawks in the Class C quarterfinals on Friday, 16-0.
With the win, the Pirates moved to the Class C semifinals and a matchup with second-seeded Calvin. at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Sulphur’s McMurry Park.
The Pirates scored 13 runs in the bottom of the first inning to set the tone for the game. They would add a run in the second and two more in the third to account for the final margin of victory.
Pelt did the rest, working four innings, giving up no runs on two hits with nine strikeouts and a walk. Haymon worked one inning and struck out two batters.
Cayden Cowgill had a hit and three RBIs, while Pelt also had a hit and three RBIs. Connor Helton also had a hit and a pair of runs batted in.
Quitman…….3
Pitkin………0
QUITMAN — For the second straight season, the Pitkin Tigers fell in the Class B quarterfinals.
The No. 8 Tigers battled closely with the No. 1 Quitman Wolverines, but didn’t have enough as the home team prevailed on Saturday, 3-0.
Pitkin starter Hunner Perkins was solid on the mound, giving up just three runs on eight hits. But Ian Tilley got the job done in four innings of work for the Wolverines.
The Wolverines got two hits from Logan Ponder, while Blake Carter and Riley Duck each had a hit and an RBI.
Pitkin got a hit each from Jaxon Perkins, Evan Purtiman and Ivan Lockhart.
