FORT GIBSON – The Tigers (7-3) third inning made the difference with Fort Gibson putting up 5 runs toward the 6-1 final score.
It started out 1-1 after two innings with the Fort Gibson scoring in the first and Hilldale (10-2) coming back to score in the second inning. Fort Gibson’s run came from the bat of Weston Rouse with a double that scored Grant Edwards who was walked on.
The Hornets responded in the second after a Kielton Sidelik walk and Cole Leach getting on via an error by the Tigers shortstop Edwards. Aden Jenkins walked to load the bases before Joey Myers grounding into a fielders choice that eliminated Sidelik at the plate. Leach eventually scored but Jenkins was picked off at third to end the inning.
A Fort Gibson single by Jaxon Blunt was thwarted by a nifty double 5-4-3 play off the bat of C Mahaney and another ground out by H Branch to end the inning.
After a 1-2-3 Hilldale third the Tigers came up for the game deciding inning. Wyatt Pierce was hit by a pitch, followed by a Edwards walk. Rouse followed with a double scoring Pierce and advancing Edwards to third. Cody Walkingstick’s sac fly to center scored Rouse and put the Tigers up 4-1.
Caynen David took over the pitching duties for the Hornets allowing consecutive singles by Brody Rainbolt and Blount and a walk to Mahaney to load the bases. Ashton Abshire was hit by a pitch forcing home Rainbolt. A Hunter Branch single that scored J Graves, pinch running for Mahaney, completed the innings scoring for the Tigers who went into the fourth with a 6-1 advantage.
Neither team could muster another run and the 6-1 third inning score ended the same after seven innings.
Mahaney allowed just three hits over five innings, striking out two and allowing two free passes. Edwards in relief of Mahaney kept the Hornets hitless striking out five and walking one over two innings.