By Dustin Kent

Published: April 15, 2008

The Sneads Pirates rallied from a run down in the fifth inning to beat Freeport 15-13 in a shootout Monday in Sneads.

It’s the fourth straight win for the Pirates, who defeated Blountstown, Cottondale and North Hardin, Ken. last week.

“We played well. The boys played hard the whole time,” Sneads coach Mark Guerra said. “It wasn’t our best game, but the bottom line is that we came out with a win and it keeps our winning streak going.”

Sneads led 6-3 after two innings and 11-4 after four, but the Pirates found themselves trailing 12-11 going into the bottom of the fifth after surrendering eights Freeport runs in the top of the frame.

Johnny Yawn tied the game up in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run.

The Pirates then took the lead for good in the sixth inning on a safety squeeze bunt by Trevin Hall, which was mishandled by the Freeport pitcher, allowing two runs to score.

An RBI single by Yawn to score Garrett Dunham to give the Pirates a 15-12 lead after six innings.

Marcus Beauchamp pitched the fifth and sixth innings in relief to pick up the win, surrendering four runs on three hits.

Taylor Edge pitched the seventh for the save.

“We kind of jumped on them early and laid back a little after that I think,” Guerra said of his team. “We sat back and let them stay in the game.

“It wasn’t a bad game. We had a few mistakes here and there. We hit it well, but we had some pitching problems.”

Jake Roberts started and gave up eight runs in four innings.

Dunham led the Pirates offense with a huge effort, going 4-for-5 with six RBI and three runs scored.

Hall went 2-for-4 with four RBI and two runs, while Edge went 2-for-3 with two RBI and three runs.

Yawn went 2-for-5 with two RBI and Beauchamp walked four times, scoring three runs.

Sneads next plays Port St. Joe away Thursday, which will conclude the regular season schedule for the Pirates, who begin district tournament play April 21 in Altha.

“Win or lose Thursday, we’ve got a little streak here,” Guerra said of his team. “We’re getting hot at the right time. The guys are pushing at the right time with the bat, which is all I can ask for.

“We’re playing good. We’re just focused in on what we’re trying to accomplish.”