|
Francis does it all in victory
Monday, June 24, 2013 3:56 pm By BOBBY WHITT/Contributor Francis pitched a complete game, scattered six hits, struck out six and allowed one unearned run to notch the win on the mound. The rising sophomore at Cannon County High School also drove in the game-winning run with a two-out, two-run single to left center in the sixth inning. “Tucker had an exceptional all-around game,” Post 279 manager Tony Stinnett said. “He’s played well all summer and has been one of the more consistent players. ‘Tuck’ had some good moments during some varsity games as a freshman. He’s going to be a big part of the Cannon County baseball landscape for the next three years.” The win kept Post 279 from going winless in its three games of pool play. The Lions lost a gutwrenching 2-1 decision to Summit, fell to Overton, 7-0, and came back with the win against Eagleville. Eagleville took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth when the Eagles scored an unearned run with two outs. With one out, Chandler Todd singled and Jared Judkins followed with a double to put runners at second and third. Things looked bleak when Eagleville was able to get the second out without allowing the tying run to score; however, Francis ripped a sharp single to left center on a 2-2 pitch to give Post 279 a 2-1 lead. Graden Strang followed with a single to score Francis and give the Lions a 3-1 advantage. Cannon County had just five hits in the game but they collected four of them in the last two innings. Woodbury American Legion Post 279 lost a heartbreaking 2-1 pitcher’s duel against Summit in the opening game of the Rocket Summer Classic. CCHS rising sophomore Graden Strang pitched a one-hit masterpiece but it wasn’t enough as the Lions surrendered two unearned runs in the 2-1 setback. "It was an outstanding game for both teams but we made too many mistakes to win a 2-1 game,” Stinnett said. “We gave up two unearned runs on three errors and we had two runners thrown out at home so it was a frustrating loss; however, the guys played well and we continue to show improvement. “Graden was solid on the mound again. We had two rising sophomores pitching extraordinary games in the tournament so you have to consider the positives even when the outcome isn’t what you want.” The Lions grabbed a 1-0 lead against Summit in the first when Jake Todd singled, stole second and scored when Graden Strang reached on an error. Summit tied the game 1-1 in the second and took a 2-1 lead on an unearned run in the third. Strang held Summit hitless for 5-1/3 innings but the opposing pitching was up to the task. Overton 7
|