Manila’s run ends in state semifinals

Harmony Grove pounded out 14 hits and went on to soar past Manila 9-2 in the rain delayed semifinals of the 3A State Baseball Tournament Monday afternoon at Harrison. The loss ended Manila’s chances of advancing to their first ever state baseball finals.

The Lions drew first blood, pushing across a pair of runs in the opening frame. Brock Birmingham laced an RBI single, scoring Layne Sims who had led off the inning with a walk. Ethan Navarro cracked an RBI single later in the inning, giving Manila an early 2-0 lead.

The Cardinals evened the game in the top of the second. Sophomore Chase Chilton, who had four hits on the day, started the rally with a double. A sacrifice and a pair of singles plated the tying runs.

Harmony Grove took advantage of Manila pitcher Abraham Lopez’ wildness in the top of the third to take a 3-2 lead. After getting the first two batters out, Lopez gave up a single before walking the next hitter. The senior righthander then plunked back to back Cardinals to force in the go ahead run.

Birmingham relieved Lopez in the fourth inning, but Harmony Grove touched up the senior righthander for a pair of runs. Harmony Grove added three runs in the fifth and tacked on a single tally in the sixth to put the game out of reach.

James McCormick went the distance to gain the victory for the Cardinals, giving up two earned runs on six hits. McCormick struck out seven and walked one. Chilton finished with two singles, two doubles, two RBI and scored three runs for Harmony Grove. Ethan Wetzel had three hits while three other Cardinals contributed two base hits apiece.

Birmingham finished the day a perfect 3-3 and completed state tournament play 8-8 with a pair of walks and a sacrifice. Navarro, Lopez and Elijah Nichols had the other Lion hits on the day. Lopez suffered the loss, working three plus innings.

Manila finishes the season with a 23-9 mark.

3A Quarterfinals

Manila 7, Baptist Prep 2

Manila advanced to the state semifinals with a 7-2 win over Baptist Prep. The Lions scored three in bottom of first, and Baptist Prep answered with one in top third and fourth. Manila added one run in bottom of fifth and three in bottom of sixth.

Leading the Lions at the dish were Sims (1-4, run), Lopez ( 3-4, run, RBI), Birmingham (2-2, run, 2RBI), Navarro (3-4, run, 3RBI), Wagner (1-4), Parker (run) and Perez (2-3, run).