Elks top Farm Bureau 6-1

By Dustin Kent

Published: May 6, 2008

Elks got five runs in the first three innings and 13 strikeouts from starter Jonathan Sikes Tuesday to take a 6-1 win over Farm Bureau in Dixie Majors action at Optimist Park.

Elks put up a pair of runs in the first inning when Gary Gilmore came up with a bloop single to left field, later coming around to score after stealing third and coming home on a throwing error.

Sikes walked, stole second and third and came home for the second Elks run of the game on a wild pitch by Reid Long.

Blake Waters got a three-run third inning started with a solo home run over the right field fence to make it 3-0.

Gilmore then doubled and came around to score on an error for the fourth run of the game.

Sikes reached on a left field error and scored on a passed ball to give Elks a 5-0 edge.

Farm Bureau got on the board for the first time in the bottom of the third when Ryan Hewett was beaned by Sikes, then stole second base and scored on a throwing error.

Elks got the run back in the fourth inning when Kyle Tanner reached on an error and came home to score in a rundown.

It was more than enough run support for Sikes, who allowed just five base runners in his five innings of work.

Sikes struck out the side in the first inning, allowing only a walk to Levi Cobb, then struck out the first two batters he faced in a perfect second inning.

He struck out the side again in the third inning and again in the fifth and final inning, while issuing three walks and hitting two batters.

Elks and Farm Bureau are both in action again Thursday at Optimist Park, with Elks taking on Malone at 5:30 p.m., and Farm Bureau playing the Lions at 6:45 p.m.