Lions top Farm Bureau in Dixie Youth Majors action

By SHELIA MADER
Published: April 24, 2008

In Dixie Youth Majors action, the Lions defeated Farm Bureau 8-3 Tuesday night.

The Lions started Eric Perdue on the mound. Perdue went two innings, giving up one run on two hits, three walks and two hit batters while striking out five.

Trenton Nobles came on in relief to close out the game, giving up two runs on three hits, one walk and one hit batsman.

Farm Bureau countered with Tristen Tharpe on the mound who went three innings before giving way to Steven Miller to conclude the game.

In the top of the first inning, the Lions wasted no time getting on the board, posting three runs. Jeremiah Emanuel led off with a walk and moved to second on a ground out by Nick Helms. Trenton Nobles reached on an error at short to put runners on the corners and set the stage for Andrew Shouse’s three-run home run. Tharpe fanned the final two batters to end the inning.

In the bottom of the first, Farm Bureau answered with one run. With one out, Steven Miller drew a walk and stole second and third on wild pitches. Levi Cobb took one for the team to put runners on the corners. Avoiding a repeat Long’s opening day long ball, Reid Long was walked to load the bases. Tharpe picked up a cheap RBI when he was hit by a pitch but the bags were left full when the final batter went down swinging.

The Lions were held scoreless in the top of the second inning. Troy Weeks had a one out single but was left stranded at first. Corey Basford led off the bottom of the inning with a walk but the next three batters went down looking to end the inning.

The Lions got back on the offensive in the third inning. Emanuel led off with a single, followed by a walk to Helms. Nobles reached on an error and Shouse picked up an RBI when he drew a walk. With one out, Eric Perdue walked but a strikeout and a groundout followed.

Farm Bureau answered with two runs in the bottom of the third. Steven Miller singled but was out trying to steal second. Levi Cobb singled and Trent Childs followed with a walk. Cobb scored and Childs advanced to third on a wild pitch. Long reached on an error that scored Childs. A strikeout ended the inning.

The side was retired in order in the top of the fourth inning. Corey Basford led off with a singled but Nobles retired the next three batters on strikeouts.

The Lions plated two runs in their final at bat. With one out, Nobles walked and moved to third on a single by Shouse. With Helms running for Shouse, Walker Roberts picked up two RBIs when he beat out a throw from second. Perdue and Dustin Slay walked but two strikeouts left them stranded on the bags.
It was three up, three down for Farm Bureau in the bottom.

Action was scheduled to continue at Optimist Park Thursday night. Results of those games were not available at press time.