Beasley, Golden Tigers prevail in pitcher's duel
By Staff
Mike Self FCT Sports Editor
After allowing just two runs in a complete game win over Florence last Saturday, Russellville's Preston Beasley was a little worried about how he might fare against the same lineup just five days later.
Apparently, one look at Beasley was not enough for Florence.
The junior righthander was even better on Thursday, holding the Falcons to only two hits in a complete game and out-dueling Florence lefty Evan Radtke as the Golden Tigers won 2-0.
Beasley struck out six and walked three, including the first two batters in the top of the seventh. He recovered to strike out Patrick Grimes and induce a game-ending double play ball off the bat of Bradley Elliot.
Radtke matched Beasley all afternoon, with the exception of one rough inning. The Golden Tigers (23-6) got three hits in the bottom of the fourth, including an RBI double by Jacob Daniel and a run-scoring single by Cory Trapp.
Aside from that, Radtke was nearly untouchable. He struck out nine and walked none, allowing two runs on five hits in six innings.
Russellville lost a similarly well-pitched game on Tuesday, when Brooks ended the Golden Tigers' 10-game win streak with a 2-1 victory. Beasley made sure his team came out on top in Thursday's battle.
The game seemed destined for a scoreless tie through the first three innings, during which Radtke struck out five and faced the minimum of nine batters.
Caleb Mitchell led off the inning with a single and then stole second. After a sacrifice bunt by Jake Ward, Daniel lined a pitch into the gap in right-center for an RBI double and a 1-0 lead.
Trapp singled to right on the next pitch, bringing home Daniel to make it 2-0.
The Falcons threatened over the final two innings but couldn't score, stranding a runner at third in the sixth and then hitting into the double play in their final at bat.
Russellville defeated Florence for the third time in four games this season.
Torey Baird and Patrick Hines each had one hit for Russellville. Grimes and Scott Trousdale each had a hit for Florence.
The Golden Tigers are scheduled to travel to Athens on Monday and Muscle Shoals on Tuesday for a pair of key Class 5A, Area 16 games.
