West Lauderdale slips past Newton

By By Jamie Sullivan/staff writer
March 3, 2002
The 5-2 West Lauderdale Knights slipped past Newton 2-1 in 10 innings Saturday night, to split a two-game afternoon at West Lauderdale. The Knights were pounded 15-1 earlier this afternoon by Vicksburg.
West Lauderdale 2
Newton 1
The West Lauderdale Knights almost did everything in their power to give Newton a victory Saturday night.
The Tigers batted first, and West Lauderdale pitcher Trent Posey fanned the side, bringing the Knights to the plate in the bottom of the first inning. Lucas Poole tried to return the favor, striking out two batters in the first inning.
Morgan Craven was issued a lead-off walk, but the Knights got their defense in order and retired the next three batters.
West Lauderdale's Richie McAllister was issued a lead-off walk to start the bottom of the second. Bo Davis doubled to left field to advance McAllister to third base. McAllister later scored on a fielder's choice by Miles Joyner. The Knights led 1-0 on Joyner's RBI.
The game stayed at that way until the top of the seventh inning.
The Knights substituted four ninth graders in the sixth inning, and it almost cost them the game.
In the top of the seventh, the Knights made a crucial error.
The Tigers got a walk from Austin Bonds in the top of the seventh, and three pitches later, Bonds was on third base due to two stolen bases. Sam Thames was the next batter, and he was sent back to the dug out with a strike out for the second out.
With two outs, and down by a run, Jeremy Tune stepped into the batters box. Tune grounded to the third baseman, instead of throwing to first base and ending the game, he threw to the plate. Bonds crossed the plate and sent the game into extra innings.
Again the game was in a dead-lock until the bottom of the 10th inning.
Miles Joyner got an infield hit to get to first base. The Tiger second baseman threw the ball into the dug out allowing Joyner to go to second base. Parker Temple came into the game as a courtesy runner for Joyner.
Lovett bunted Temple to third, and brought C.J. Fountain to the plate.
Pierce was right, Boatner gave Fountain the sign for the squeeze bunt. Fountain laid a bunt down, and Temple crossed the plate to take the win.
Although Posey started the game for the Knights, he did not receive the win. Lovett came in to relieve Posey in the eighth inning, to get the win. Brent McMillan suffered the loss.
Posey fanned twelve batters, and allowed three walks and two hits.
The 5-2 Knights will be in action Monday, when they host Choctaw Central, while 5-1 Newton will travel to Philadelphia Tuesday.
Vicksburg 15
West Lauderdale 1
The Knights could not get anything going this afternoon, as they were pounded 15-1 by visiting Vicksburg.
The Knights got five hits in the game, compared to 11 for the Gators. Davis led the offensive attack for the Knights with three hits and two runs scored. Lovett and Van Wilson each had one hit.
Jamey Fontan suffered the loss for the Knights and Chris Middleton enjoyed the win.