Pirates advance to District quarterfinals

The Gosnell Pirates kept their season alive with a 12-2 win over the Highland Rebels Thursday night in the opening round of the 3-4A district tournament at the Blytheville Youth Sportsplex in five innings.

One year after the Rebels surprised Gosnell in an opening round loss, the host Pirates made sure they didn't suffer the same fate in 2014 -- veteran head coach Bret Jackson's final season.

Gosnell starting pitcher Ricky Gable tossed a three-hitter and allowed Highland's only two runs in the second inning. With two outs, Highland posted three straight hits to take an early, 2-1, lead but that would be the only damage done by the visiting Rebels.

Outside of the second inning, Gable allowed just one other runner, a walk in the fourth inning, and with a solid defense behind him the senior hurler threw four near-perfect innings facing the minimum 12 batters over that span.

Gable got the Pirates on the board in the first with a two-out RBI single scoring Andrew Scott who led off the inning with a double. The Pirates took the lead for good with three in the home half of the second, four in the third and a run in the fourth. Being patient at the plate, the Pirates took advantage of seven fifth inning walks to score three more and end the game early.

Singles in the third and fifth innings helped Will Camp extend his season long hitting streak to 25 games.

Camp (2-4 with a run scored), Gable (1-2, a run scored and an RBI), Scott (1-2, double and three runs scored), Chad Wright (2-3 with 2 runs scored) and Carlos Blackman (triple, RBI and a run scored) helped power the Pirate offense.

The Pirates advance to the 3-4A quarterfinals where they'll face the Westside Warriors at 3:30 Friday afternoon at the Sportsplex.

Gosnell beat the Warriors, 9-1, in their lone 2014 regular season matchup.

afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com @CN_AaronF