Regions tops Kiwanis; Optimist squeaks by Zaxby’s

By SHELIA MADER
Published: May 13, 2008

In Dixie Youth AAA action Monday night at Optimist Park, Regions defeated Kiwanis, while the earlier game was a much tighter matchup with Optimist squeaking by Zaxby’s 7-6.

In game one, Maxx Harrell took the mound for Zaxby’s, going three innings, striking out seven and fielding two grounders on the mound for all nine outs.

Ryan Reed came on in relief, pitching two innings with four strikeouts.

Jared Hendrix went the distance for Optimist to pick up the win, fanning 10 batters.

In the top of the first inning for Optimist, Justin Crosby reached on an error and Cody Gwin followed with a walk.

Austin Torbett doubled to score two runs and stole his way home.

In the bottom of the inning, Landon Tharpe doubled and made it an in the park home run on an errant throw.

Following a strikeout, Harrell had a stand up double and moved to third when Jack Craven took advantage of an error to take first safely.

Austin Howell took one for the team to load the bases and Teyton Howell picked up an RBI when he was hit by a pitch.

Following a strikeout, an attempted steal at home netted the runner out due to the batter being called for interference in not moving out of the box.

At the end of one inning of play, it was Optimist 3-2.

In the bottom of the second inning, Marquez Patterson had a lead-off walk, then stole second and third base.

Logan Baxley took advantage of an error to reach first safely and score Patterson.

Following a strikeout, Tharpe hit into a fielder’s choice that got Baxley at second.

Tharpe was out on a throw from catcher Cody Gwin trying to steal third to end the inning with the game knotted at three.

In the top of the third inning, with two outs, Crosby’s speed netted him an in-the-park home run.

Following a walk to Gwinn, Torbett joined the home run club with an inside-the park job to score two.

In the bottom of the third inning, Ryan Reed found the fence for a stand-up triple and Harrell followed with an inside-the-park home run to score two.

Jack Craven singled but was caught turning left and tagged out. Two strikeouts followed to end the inning with Optimist leading 6-5.

In the top of the fifth inning, Tommy Weeks walked and scored on a triple by Torri Hill for a 7-5 lead.

In the bottom of the final inning, Logan Baxley picked up his second single of the night, then stole around the bases to score on a passed ball.

With one out, Tharpe was robbed of a hit by Hendrix, who made the snag and threw to first.

The next batter went down swinging to end the game.
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In the nightcap game, Jake Daffin started on the mound for Regions before giving way to Trent Charles to complete the game.

Ethan Strickland took the controls for Kiwanis.

Kiwanis plated four runs in the bottom of the first inning.

Walks to Aaron Williams and Brandon Reed was followed by a strikeout. A walk to Hunter Eddins loaded the bases and Zac Malone picked up an RBI when he was issued a free pass.

With two outs and three more runs in on stolen bases and passed balls, Hampton Jordan drew a walk but Charles sat the final batter down swinging.

Regions rallied for five runs in the top of the third inning to tie the game at five.

Jake Sims reached on an error with three walks to Joshua Delgado, Zeke Hardy Avery Evans plating one run.

Cade Bonds cleared the bases with a triple before the next batter went down swinging.

Bonds stole home and a fly out to Jordan at second ended the inning.

In the bottom of the third, Williams doubled but was called out on a throw from Charles to Matthew Shouse at home for the first out of the inning.

Brandon Reed singled but, again, tested Shouse and lost as he was tagged out by Shouse trying to steal home.

Regions added two runs in the fourth.

Charles helped himself out by taking one for the team, then stealing second and third.

A walk to Justin McCallister put runners on the corners.

Charles stole home and McCallister went to third on a wild pitch.

McCallister scored on a ground out to first by Shouse but a fly out and a strikeout ended the rally.

Regions held a 7-5 lead after four innings of play.

Regions plated four runs in the sixth and final inning.

Cade Bonds got things going with a triple and scored when Dustin York reached on a dropped ball in center field.

Daffin singled to score York. Charles was hit by a pitch for the second time in as many at bats.

McCallister walked but was out when Shouse hit into a fielder’s choice.

The final two batters went down swinging but Regions held an 11-5 lead.

A two-out walk to Brandon Reed was the only offense Kiwanis could muster in the sixth inning.

Action continues at Optimist Park on Thursday with games at 5:30 p.m., and 6:45 p.m.