South Central struck first but could not sustain their early run, falling to St. Anthony, 10-3, in the Championship game of the National Trail Conference Tournament on Saturday. The Cougars looked like they had something to prove against the defending champions early as Brody Markley singled on the first pitch of the game and Callaway Smith followed suit with a first pitch single of this own to put runners on. Colton Smith drew a walk to load the bases and then Trevan Sidwell would work the count and draw the bases loaded walk to score the first Cougar run of the game. With bases still loaded, Hudson Moore grounded into a double play that allowed the runner to score from third and South Central went up 2-0. That first inning lead would hold until the bottom of the third when the Bulldogs took advantage of a South Central throwing error as two runs would come in and tie the game up at 2-2. After a scoreless fourth inning for both teams, St. Anthony hit back to back singles to start the bottom of the fifth inning and again took advantage of a South Central throwing error to put two runs on the board, taking their first lead of the game 4-2. After another Cougar throwing error and a hit by pitch a line drive single brought in two more Bulldogs as St. Anthony pushed their lead to 6-2. The Bulldogs continued to extend their lead in the bottom of the sixth as a hit by pitch and a single would put two runners on. The Cougars would choose to intentionally walk the Bulldogs clean-up hitter and St. Anthony would make them pay with a fly ball single to right field that would score two. A fly ball out that allowed the runner in from third after tagging up would find the Cougars down 9-2 and a wild pitch brought in one final Bulldog run as they lead South Central 10-2. The Cougars would try to battle in the top of the seventh as Evan Hoover hit a long fly ball single to centerfield followed by back to back walks from Maddox Robb and Zane Montes to load the bases. Luke Shumate then grounded into a fielder’s choice as Hoover came in to score and cut the St. Anthony lead to 10-3. However, South Central would hit into a double play to end the game. South Central ends the fall season at 15-6.
South Central Offense:
Brody Markley – 1-3, BB, R
Callaway Smith – 1-3
Colton Smith – BB
Trevan Sidwell – BB, RBI
Evan Hoover – 1-3, R
Maddox Robb – 1-2, BB
Zane Montes – BB
Luke Shumate – R, RBI
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