A late-game rally came up just short as Bladen County was defeated 12-5 by Brunswick County in an elimination game in the Dixie Boys State Tournament held in Southport Wednesday.
Brunswick County jumped to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning on four hits and a walk.
Josh McKoy walked to lead off the Bladen County first inning, but the next three batters were retired.
Brunswick County tacked on a run in the top of the second on two hits.
Spencer Scott and Jake Evans reached base on walks in the bottom of the second for Bladen County but were unable to score.
Bladen County held Brunswick County scoreless in the top of the third.
Greyson Heustess and Pierce Melvin cracked singles for Bladen County in the bottom of the third inning but were unable to score.
Both teams were retired in order in the fourth inning.
Brunswick County used three walks and a hit batter to stretch the lead to 6-0 in the top of the fifth.
Evans drew his second walk of the game to lead off the Bladen County fifth. Josh McKoy hammered a double that sent Evans to third base. After Shy Pone walked, Heustess knocked in Evans with a single, but the next two batters were retired to end the scoring threat.
Brunswick County added two more runs in the top of the sixth on three hits, before Bladen County turned a shortstop-to-catcher-to-
Scott slammed a double to begin the Bladen County sixth inning. Eric Chancey smacked a single to drive in Scott and took second on the throw to the plate.
Evans drove in Chancey with a single. Josh McKoy reached base on an error, and Pone’s fielder’s choice forced Evans. After Pone stole second, Heustess delivered a 2-run single that scored McKoy and Pone and trimmed the margin to 8-5.
Brunswick County answered with four runs in the top of the seventh inning on four hits.
Davis Alsup and Chancey both belted singles for Bladen County in the bottom of the seventh inning but were unable to score.
Heustess topped the Bladen hitters with 3 hits and drove in 3 runs. Chancey finished with 2 hits, a run batted in and a run scored.
Josh McKoy and Scott smashed doubles, and Melvin, Evans and Alsup added a single each. Evans also drove in a run, and Scott, McKoy, Pone and Evans scored one run each.
Melvin started on the hill and pitched the first 2.2 innings for Bladen. Pone relieved Melvin and pitched the next 2 innings. Scott worked the final 2.1 innings on the mound for Bladen.
Members of the Bladen team that finished 1-2 in the tournament are: Josh McKoy, Shy Pone, Greyson Heustess, Pierce Melvin, Jake Butler, Spencer Scott, Holden Clark, Jake Evans, Jay McKoy, Dalton Pait, David Valenta, Davis Alsup and Eric Chancey. Coaches are Chuck Heustess, Joe Melvin, Wade Pait, and Keith Clark.
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