Marked Tree falls in 1A-3 district semifinals

By COSMO COSSEY

Poinsett County Democrat Tribune

Marked Tree's Bryce Smith and Hillcrest's Mason Lecroy hooked up in a pitcher's duel with Hillcrest coming out on top 2-1 in one semi-final game of the 1A-3 district tournament in Marked Tree. The Indians (8-9) will play next week in the 1A-2 Regional Tournament at West Side Greers Ferry.

Indian Bryce Dunn takes the throw at first base for the out during 1A-3 baseball district tournament play last Tuesday (Apr. 25) in Marked Tree. (Photo by Cosmo Cossey)

Smith grounded out leading off the game for the Indians before Tate Swink walked and stole second base. Swink was left on base as Wesley Pitts and Cainan Hawkins both grounded out. The Screamin’ Eagles scored a run on a sacrifice fly to go up 1-0 after one. Marked Tree went down in order in the top of the second inning as Bryce Dunn grounded out, Cayden Kimery popped out and Jaylen Bradley grounded out. Hillcrest got runners two runners on with one out only to see Swink snag a line drive and beat the runner back to second base for a double play to end the inning with the Screamin’ Eagles still leading 1-0.

Ryan Wages grounded out for Marked Tree leading off the top of the third inning as Brady Hicks drew a walk as Martavius Davis came on to pinch run. Smith reached on error as Davis was tagged out between second and third on a rundown. Swink popped out for the third out. Hillcrest got a two out single only to leave the runner on base when Smith got a ground ball out to end the inning with the score still 1-0 Screamin’ Eagles. Marked Tree went three up and three down in the top of the fourth inning as Pitts looked at strike three, Hawkins grounded out and Dunn went down swinging.

Hillcrest got a runner on via an error only to see the runner threw at third trying to reach base on a single to end the inning.

The Indians again went down in order in the top of the fifth as Kimery watched strike three go by, Bradley went down swinging and Wages grounded out. Hillcrest plated an-other run in the bottom half of the inning to go up 2-0 after five. Hicks walked leading off the top of the sixth and was replaced by J.J. Risper. Risper stole second before Smith flew out. Swink singled before getting tagged out in a run-down between first and second that allowed Risper to score making it 2-1 Screamin’ Eagles. Pitts lined out for the third out. Hillcrest got a two out triple only to leave the runner on base as Smith got a fly out for the third out.

Marked Tree went down in order in the top of the seventh as Hawkins struck out, Dunn popped out and Kimery struck out to end the game with Hillcrest getting the 2-1 win.

Swink had Marked Tree's only hit of the game and added a stolen base. Risper scored a run and added a stolen base for the Indian. Smith took the lost as he pitched all six innings giving up two runs on six hits with three walks and two strikeouts.