By JOSEPH FONDREN
Sports Connection Team
HOT SPRINGS—The Rivercrest Colts took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning and held off a sixth inning rally by the Booneville Bearcats, to win 3-2 to advance to a Class 3A semi-finals matchup against 3A-3 rival Gosnell Pirates.
Rivercrest scored two runs in the top of the second. Senior Ian McClain tagged up at third and came in to score the first run of the game on a fly ball by Jacob Atchley. Then two batters later, Kevin Morris drove in Jaxon Kilburn with a hard single to the Booneville second baseman, giving the Colts a 2-0 advantage.
The Colts added another run the following inning after Atchley was hit by a Bearcat pitch with the bases loaded to score Jayden Ralph making it 3-0 heading to the bottom of the third.
The Bearcats answered with a run in that bottom half of the inning to keep it a two-run game. The Colts carried the 3-1 lead to the bottom of the sixth inning. Booneville was able to wangle a run on a two-out single to make it 3-2.
The Bearcats threatened in the last inning when Colts senior pitcher Conner Vaughn hit a batter and the next batter would reach on a catcher’s interference call. Vaughn, however, got help from his defense after a line drive was caught by shortstop Joe Louis Ralph who then doubled off the runner at first.
Rivercrest scored three runs on five hits and drew four walks.
Vaughn pitched a complete game allowing two earned runs on seven hits, he walked none and fanned s fanned seven Bearcats.
Booneville’s Jace Washburn took the loss. The junior went 6.2 innings, giving up three runs on five hits, while walking four and striking out six. Booneville finished its season with a record of 20-6.
The Colts (21-7) faced conference rival Gosnell (24-8) in a Saturday semifinal matchup.