Heber’s 10-under Mariners pounded out seven hits while disposing of the Rangers 12-2 Tuesday in the third/fourth place game at the Heber Springs City Fields.
The Mariners got to work in the top of the first as James Bull reached on an error with one out then Carter Kelley roped a hit-and-run single to center field that moved Bull to third.
Kelley stole second, giving the Mariners two runners in scoring position, then Sam Lee’s pop-up to shortstop scored Bull as he alertly tagged up from third. Kelley pulled off a delay steal of home as the Mariners took a 2-0 lead before Ranger starting pitcher Bailey Stanford got Jack Gardner to pop out to Seth Jenkins at second.
With one out in the bottom of the first, the Rangers stirred up a rally as Max Schroeder beat out an infield single, moved to second on a wild pickoff and stole third before Jenkins received a free pass and swiped second.
With two runners in scoring position, Gardner, the Mariners’ starting pitcher, recorded a strikeout before Schroeder stole home, leaving the Mariners with a 2-1 advantage.
After Jacob Blasingame and Dillon Spivey walked to load the bases, Gardner notched his third strikeout of the inning.
Leading 2-1, the Mariners added two insurance runs in the top of the second. Brayden Johnson ignited the Mariners with a triple to the alley in right center then Joseph Stacks alertly reached on a dropped third strike.
Johnson and Stacks came around to score on a series of overthrows by the Rangers before Stanford retired the Rangers with a groundout to Matt White at shortstop, a strikeout and groundout to Jenkins at second.
Trailing 4-1, Nic Blocker led off the bottom of the second with a homerun to the gap in left center.
After Christian Jackson reached on an error and stole his way around to third, Gardner notched a strikeout then picked Jackson off third base. Gardner got White on a sharp grounder back to the mound as the Mariners took a 4-2 lead to the top of the third.
The Mariners blew the game open by scoring eight runs on five hits in the third. Bull smashed a single to center field and Carter Kelley followed with a homerun to deep left field that plated Bull, giving the Mariners a 6-2 lead.
Lee drilled a single to center field then stole second base and scored on an overthrow then Gardner nailed a single up the middle.
Blocker made a smooth play at third to rob Johnson off a base hit as Gardner advanced to second. Gardner moved to third on a wild pitch then Stacks walked and stole second.
Gardner scored on a wild pickoff, causing the Rangers to relieve Stanford with White. Luke McGowan walked and stole second but White fired back with a strikeout before Stacks scored on an errant pickoff, giving the Mariners a 9-2 lead.
With two down, Jarred Lawrence, Alec Kelley and Bull drew consecutive walks, which allowed McGowan to score.
Carter Kelley followed with a 2 RBI single to the left side that scored Lawrence and Alec Kelley as the Mariners’ lead grew to 12-2 before the Rangers got out of the inning.
Carter Kelley relieved Gardner to start the bottom half and made quick work of the Rangers as Schroeder and Jenkins bounced back to the mound then Matthew Denman grounded out to Lee at third, ending the game.