Clinging to an 8-7 lead against Quitman going into the bottom of the fourth, Pangburn exploded for nine runs capped by Mac Myers’ 3 RBI double that scored Dakota LeBlanc, Zahn Crider and Ty Galyan, giving Pangburn a 17-7 victory Monday at the Quitman Sports Complex.
The win sent Pangburn to the 12-under district title game, where they must beat county rival Rose Bud twice on Tuesday. The championship will be featured in Friday’s edition of The Sun-Times.
Pangburn’s Crider got the start on the mound and retired Quitman in order in the top of the first but Quitman pitcher Larry Pool also sat down Pangburn without a base runner in the bottom half.
Quitman opened up a 3-0 lead in the top of the second as Pool and Nathaniel Reynolds walked then DJ McVay looped a single to center field. With the sacks full, Walker Johnson roped an RBI single to toward third that scored Pool but Galyan made a diving stop that saved another run from coming across.
After Crider fired back with a strikeout, Hayden Stovall slammed a 2 RBI single down the left field line that scored Reynolds and McVay, giving Quitman a 3-0 lead. Myers gunned down Johnson trying to steal third base to end the top half.
In the bottom of the second, Pangburn responded with four runs. With one away, Grant Holeyfield pulled a single through the hole on the left side and took second on a wild pitch before Austin Smith drew a walk.
Baily Whitehead reached on an error that allowed Holeyfield to score then Frankie Burleson lifted an RBI single down the left field line that plated Smith. Mitchell Betts reached on a throwing error that scored Whitehead and Burleson as Pangburn jumped in front 4-3 before Pool, Quitman’s pitcher, escaped further trouble by getting the next two batters.
Quitman tied it back up in the top of the third as Trey McGhee nailed a one-out single to right field and advanced to third on a 2-base error. Pool’s RBI groundout scored McGhee but Crider pitched around more trouble.
With the game tied at 4-up, Pangburn scored four runs in the bottom of the third as Galyan beat out an infield single and stole second then Myers reached via error before Holeyfield’s RBI grounder scored Galyan as all runners reached safely on a fielder’s indecision.
Leading 5-4 with two down, Holeyfield scored on a wild pickoff attempt then Burleson worked a walk and stole second. Betts followed with a 2 RBI single up the middle that scored Smith and Burleson, giving Pangburn an 8-4 lead going into the top of the fourth.
Quitman battled back in the bottom half as Johnson belted a one-out single to left field but Crider fired back with a strikeout. Stovall worked a walk then Matt Chambers’ bad-hop 2 RBI double past shortstop scored Johnson and Stovall, leaving Quitman with an 8-6 deficit.
McGhee reached on an error that scored Chambers as Quitman pulled within a run before Crider got Pool to pop-out to Burleson at second base.
With Quitman needing three outs and battling the time limit, Pangburn broke the game wide open and eventually ended it in the bottom of the fourth. With one down, Galyan worked a full-count walk then Myers ripped a single past third.
Holeyfield reached on a fielder’s choice that loaded the bases before Rodey Burford, who relieved Pool in the third, notched a strikeout.
With two down, Whitehead belted a 2 RBI single up the middle that scored Galyan and Myers then Burleson lifted a 2 RBI single to center field that scored Holeyfield and Whitehead, giving Pangburn a 12-7 advantage.
Betts followed with a single to right center before LeBlanc walked to load the bases. Crider smashed a 2 RBI single to center field that plated Burleson and Betts as Pangburn’s lead grew to 14-7 before Quitman relieved Burford with McVay.
Galyan took one for the team then Myers’ three-run double ended the game.
Quitman, Ark. —
