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The McDonald County AAA American Legion team keeps the crowd guessing. One can at least say that for them.
After losing their opening game to Carl Junction 16-3 in six innings, in a game that saw CJ slugger Chase Marrs hit four home runs and drive in 11 runs, McDonald County came back in the nightcap to salvage a split with a nail-biting 8-7 win.
In the opener, Carl Junction pounced early with a four run first inning highlighted by a Marrs three-run shot.
In fact, Marrs’ first three at bats went three-run homer, two-run homer and grand slam.
“We didn’t play well and they took advantage in that first game,” McDonald County coach Nick Martin said. “That kid (Marrs) had a great day at the plate and days like that don’t come along often.”
In the second game, Dusty Stites dominated on the mound.
As a matter of fact, he was so dominant that he ended up with five strikeouts in the first inning. All of the outs in the first frame were recorded via the strikeout, but Carl Junction runners were able to reach base when the McDonald County catcher dropped strike three.
In the bottom of the first, McDonald County got RBI singles from Tanner Grab and Kolby Henson to tie the game. Then, later in the inning, Dusty Stites hit a two-run double to give McDonald County a 4-2 lead.
“We got going early. The top two in our lineup had a good night and set the tone for us,” Martin said.
Dusty Stites came out in the seventh with a 7-3 lead to try and close out the game.
Unfortunately, a pair of errors and a base hit loaded the bases and Carl Junction ultimately ran Dusty Stites from the game and tied the score at 7-7.
“Dusty Stites threw a great game, that’s a kid that’s shown some guts,” Martin said.
Dusty Stites finished the game with 13 strikeouts.
In the bottom of the seventh, Brandon Stites sent the crowd into an uproar when he launched a pitch into right field for the game-winning RBI double.
“Brandon Stites came in and got us out of the top of the seventh then got the game-winning hit,” Martin said. “That’s clutch.”
The McDonald County AAA American Legion team keeps the crowd guessing. One can at least say that for them.
After losing their opening game to Carl Junction 16-3 in six innings, in a game that saw CJ slugger Chase Marrs hit four home runs and drive in 11 runs, McDonald County came back in the nightcap to salvage a split with a nail-biting 8-7 win.
In the opener, Carl Junction pounced early with a four run first inning highlighted by a Marrs three-run shot.
In fact, Marrs’ first three at bats went three-run homer, two-run homer and grand slam.
“We didn’t play well and they took advantage in that first game,” McDonald County coach Nick Martin said. “That kid (Marrs) had a great day at the plate and days like that don’t come along often.”
In the second game, Dusty Stites dominated on the mound.
As a matter of fact, he was so dominant that he ended up with five strikeouts in the first inning. All of the outs in the first frame were recorded via the strikeout, but Carl Junction runners were able to reach base when the McDonald County catcher dropped strike three.
In the bottom of the first, McDonald County got RBI singles from Tanner Grab and Kolby Henson to tie the game. Then, later in the inning, Dusty Stites hit a two-run double to give McDonald County a 4-2 lead.
“We got going early. The top two in our lineup had a good night and set the tone for us,” Martin said.
Dusty Stites came out in the seventh with a 7-3 lead to try and close out the game.
Unfortunately, a pair of errors and a base hit loaded the bases and Carl Junction ultimately ran Dusty Stites from the game and tied the score at 7-7.
“Dusty Stites threw a great game, that’s a kid that’s shown some guts,” Martin said.
Dusty Stites finished the game with 13 strikeouts.
In the bottom of the seventh, Brandon Stites sent the crowd into an uproar when he launched a pitch into right field for the game-winning RBI double.
“Brandon Stites came in and got us out of the top of the seventh then got the game-winning hit,” Martin said. “That’s clutch.”
