ROME, Ga.-Host Shorter used a three-run second inning and a four-run fourth to take control en route to a 9-4 win over the Christian Brothers University Bucs in the final game of the season for both squads.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
• The Bucs (9-38, 1-32 GSC) scored the game's first run in the top of the second inning.
Scott Pala (Hernando, Miss./Hernando HS) walked, stole second and scored on a
Nick Traylor (Germantown, Tenn./Christian Brothers HS) single up the middle.
• The Hawks (17-32, 9-24) took the lead for good in the bottom of the frame, scoring three runs on two walks, two singles and a sacrifice fly.
• Shorter added four more in the bottom of the fourth, capitalizing on two walks and three singles.
• CBU scored twice in the top of the seventh inning.
Christian Halterman (Dyersburg, Tenn./Dyer County HS) worked a leadoff walk, and
Lucas Castleberry (Bryant, Ark./Bryant HS) followed with a single. After a passed ball moved them up to second and third, a
Mickey Smith (Arlington, Tenn./Arlington HS) single to center brought Halterman home, and a
Caleb Goodwin (Shreveport, La./Evangel Christian Academy) groundout plated Castleberry.
• The Bucs drew a run closer in the top of the eighth.
Jake Tribble (Springville, Ala./Springville HS) led off with a pinch-hit double, and he moved to third on a Traylor single, scoring on a double play.
• The Hawks set the final margin in the top of the eighth on a single and a two-run Patrick Sanderson homer.
KEY STATS:
• Traylor went 2-for-3 with a walk and one RBI.
• Castleberry was 2-for-5 with a run.
• Tribble went 1-for-1 with a double and a run.
• Smith was 1-for-2 with one RBI.
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Joe Mattson (Nashville, Tenn./Franklin Road Academy) went 1-for-2 with a walk.
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Hunter Howard (Chelsea, Ala./Chelsea HS) was 1-for-2 with a walk.
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Jack Parker (Shreveport, La./Evangel Christian Academy) threw a scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts.
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Ryan Abone (Germantown, Tenn./Houston HS) worked an inning and two-thirds of scoreless relief, with two strikeouts against two hits and a walk.
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Will Rutledge (Nashville, Tenn./Father Ryan HS) pitched around two hits and a walk as he threw a scoreless inning of relief.