Deshler uses big inning to down Bobcats

By Staff
Scot Beard
TUSCUMBIA – Although it had several defensive miscues, the Phil Campbell baseball team was able to hold its own against Deshler Monday night through three innings of play.
The fourth inning, however proved disastrous for the Bobcats.
Deshler sent 12 batters to the plate and scored seven runs to blow the game open and cruise to a 17-7 victory.
The game started well for Phil Campbell as Jordan Benford led off the game with a hit between the shortstop's legs to reach base. Cameron Harris followed by flying out to left field, but Dillan Hamby crushed the ball over the fence in left-center to give the Bobcats an early 2-0 lead.
Deshler answered in the second when Ben Norwood singled then was awarded second base on a balk. He moved to third on a pass ball and scored on a double by Dylan Boston.
Boston later scored on a sacrifice fly to tie the game.
With a runner on first, Phil Campbell pitcher Brent Whitten fell behind in the count 3-0 before unleashing three consecutive strikes to end the inning.
The Bobcats had two players reach base in the second, but could not score either of them.
Deshler took advantage and scored four runs in the bottom of the second to take a commanding 6-2 lead.
Hamby led off the third inning by reaching base after a pitch hit him. Jake Dill followed by drawing a walk.
Seth Brown then drilled the ball over the leftfield wall for a three-run home run to cut the deficit to 6-5 with no outs in the inning.
Bailey Welborn singled, but three straight outs ended Phil Campbell's threat.
Deshler added two runs in the bottom of the third, but the Bobcats added a run in the top of the fourth when Harris drove in Benford to make the score 8-6.
Deshler then took control of the game, scoring seven runs on seven hits.
Phil Campbell added another run in the fifth.
Deshler scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth to end the game.