Manila scored three runs in the fourth to break a 2-2 tie with Yellville-Summit, and added five more runs in the fifth, to post a 10-2 victory in the first round of the 3A Regional Friday afternoon at Harrison. The victory secured a spot in this week's Class 3A State Tournament, beginning Thursday at Harrison.
Manila spotted the Panthers a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, before bouncing back with solo runs in the second and third innings, to tie the game 2-2. Singles by Brett Sweatman and Alex Richard, to go along with a passed ball, gave the Lions their run in the second. Manila scored again in the third, putting together a two-out rally. Jeremy Goff walked and came home to score on Jay Kulin's RBI double.
A Panther error set the stage for Manila's three-run, fourth inning rally. Kyle Joyner reached on a miscue by the Yellville-Summit shortstop and stole second base. Richard worked a walk, before Dillon May's RBI single scored Joyner to put the Lions on top, 3-2. Shaun Scoggins plated Richard on an RBI groundout, before May scampered home on a wild pitch as the Lions took a 5-2 lead entering the fifth inning.
RBI doubles by Sweatman and Scoggins, along with a run scoring single by May, highlighted Manila's five run fifth, putting the game out of reach.
Scoggins (8-4) went the distance to earn the win. The Lion southpaw allowed one earned run while scattering seven hits. The lefty fanned four and walked two. Stephen Jones took the loss for the Panthers.
The Lions helped themselves defensively by turning a pair of double plays, including a big 6-4-3 twin killing to wipe out a bases loaded Panther threat in the fourth.
Sweatman led the Manila offense, going 3-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. May had a pair of hits, drove in two and scored twice, while Joyner singled twice and scored two runs. Kulin doubled in a run, scored once and walked. Richard singled, scored once, drove in one run and walked. Scoggins doubled and drove in two runs while scoring once. Zac Riley added a single.