May 7, 2009

Hornets sting Maroon Tide 6-4

by Carey Meitzler

Picayune--Picayune was just two outs away from winning Game 1 in their best of three series for the South State Championship,

but the defending champions from East Central rallied for four runs in the top of the seventh and held on for a 6-4 win.

The Hornets scored two runs in the third inning on doubles by Josh Slayter, Jarrod Howell, Matt Linton, and  a sacrifice fly by

Justin Parker for a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth, Picayune's Hunter Gill doubled and scored when Evan Nichelson was safe at first on an East Central

throwing error allowing the Maroon Tide to cut it to 2-1.

Picayune scored three runs in the fifth inning to take the lead.  Jake Riser singled to left and Braxton Lee beat out a bunt to start the

inning.  Bryce Ladner bunted and was safe at first when the throw from Hornet pitcher Trey Porter hit Ladner in the helmet allowing

Riser to score to tie the game.  Hunter Gill singled off the glove of the third baseman to bring in Lee for a 3-2 lead.  Jared Bales'

sacrifice fly to left center field scored Ladner to make it 4-2.

East Central (27-5) sent nine batters to the plate in the top of the seventh.  With one out, Maroon Tide starter Jared Bales hit

Josh Slayter with a pitch.  Leadoff hitter Jarrod Howell walked and Matt Linton singled to load the bases.  Taylor Bonafacio's

grounder bounced away from a Tide infielder allowing one run to score making it 4-3.  Trey Porter doubled to right center to

drive in two more runs and give the Hornets a 5-4 lead.  Another run scored when Bales was called for a balk.

Reliever Matt Linton pitched a perfect inning to close out the game in the bottom of the seventh for the Hornets.

Picayune (22-4) will attempt to even the series on Friday when they travel to Hurley to take on East Central (27-5). 

First pitch is scheduled for 7:00pm.