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Post-Season honors for Bulldogs

MHSBCA Class 3 All-State

Second Team
Jack Luton, Infielder, so.

Springfield News-Leader

Class 3 All-District

Travis Green, Utility, sr.

Class 3 District 12
First Team
Travis Green, sr.
Jake Hale, sr.
Jake Stevenson, jr.
Second Team
Seth Spencer, sr.
Matt Thompson, jr.
Jack Luton, so.

Big 8 Conference
First Team
Travis Green, Catcher, sr.
Jake Hale, Pitcher, sr.
Seth Spencer, First Baseman, sr.
Jack Luton, Second Baseman, so.
Second Team
Jake Hale, Shortstop, sr.
Jake Stevenson, Pitcher, jr.
Matt Thompson, jr.
Payton Walker, Outfielder, fr.
Honorable Mention
Garrett Carden, Third Baseman, so.
Logan Deem, Designated Hitter, so.

Final Missouri Class 3 Rankings
1	Notre Dame
2	Carl Junction
3	Harrisonville
4	Fulton
5	Kirksville
6	Lutheran South
7	Clinton
8	Salem
9	Savannah
10	Westminster Christian

2009 Season Statistics

Joplin Globe All-Area

First Team
Jack Luton, Second Baseman, so.

Second Team

Travis Green, Catcher, sr.

Honorable Mention

Jake Stevenson, Pitcher, jr.

Jake Hale, Middle Infielder, sr.

Bulldogs fall in championship game

Carl Junction claims Missouri Class 3 second place trophy

For six innings in the final game of the year for both teams, Carl Junction stayed within striking distance of the state's top-ranked team. But Notre Dame (28-1) exploded for 12 runs in their final at-bat, earning their fourth baseball state championship with an 18-4 victory.

The Bulldogs of Coach Flave Darnell, advancing to the state title game for only the second time in school history, held an early lead of 2-0 after the first inning. Payton Walker scored on Jack Luton's ground-rule double, a towering shot to the opposite field that bounced on the warning track and over the fence. The strong wind to left helped the hit, but would later haunt Carl Junction. Logan Deem drove home the Bulldogs' second run, scoring Seth Spencer with a two-out single.

But Notre Dame's Bulldogs would score the game's next six runs, building a 6-2 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth.

That's when Carl Junction began to rally, starting with a walk to Spencer. Luton followed with another ground-rule double, this time a long drive to right that bounded over the fence. Jake Hale followed with a sacrifice fly, scoring Spencer. Luton then raced home on a double by Deem, pulling CJ to within 6-4.

Hale, the Bulldogs' starting pitcher, took the mound in the sixth and quickly retired the three Notre Dame hitters in order.

Matt Thompson led off Carl Junction's half of the sixth with a sharp line drive single to center and moved to second on Walker's base hit. After a strikeout, the two advanced to second and third on a double steal, putting their team in prime position to even the score.

However, Notre Dame's Dylan Drury fanned the next hitter and coerced a grounder to second to thwart the rally. The Bulldogs stranded nine runners during the first six innings.

Notre Dame, from Cape Girardeau, had used a long double to the left-center gap to score their first run. They rallied in the fourth with a double off the left-field wall and a 3-run homer over the fence from Wesley Glaus, benefiting from the strong wind blowing out to left.

In the seventh, with Notre Dame clinging to a narrow 6-4 lead, they once again flexed their muscles and took full advantage of the playing conditions.

Drury began the inning with a hard ground ball single thru the hole on the right side of the infield. With one out, Notre Dame's Mark Hagedorn homered to left field, seemingly deflating the Carl Junction players. But Hale, facing his 34th batter of the game, coaxed a pop-out to Deem at second and the Bulldogs were an out away from heading to the dugout for their final at-bat.

Notre Dame, however, was far from finished. The next four hitters placed singles around the ballpark, scoring two more runs and finally chasing Hale. The Carl Junction senior gave the team everything he had, scattering 16 hits over six and two-thirds innings against one of the top hitting teams in Missouri. Notre Dame, as a team, hit over .380 this season. Hale finished with four strikeouts and walked only two batters.

Senior Nathan Eddy relieved and nearly got the Bulldogs out of the jam against the first hitter he faced. But a Carl Junction error allowed another baserunner and the onslaught continued.

Drury came back to the plate for his second at-bat of the inning and reached on another infield error. Notre Dame followed with a single, walk and another single, setting up one final blast to left field. This time, it was another 3-run shot from Glaus, providing the final 18-4 margin. Glaus finished the game 4-for-5 with his pair of homers, three runs scored and eight RBIs. The junior firstbaseman had hit only one home run this season prior to Saturday's game.

With the game on the line, Notre Dame sent 16 batters to the plate in the final inning, collecting 11 hits and 12 runs while taking advantage of two Carl Junction errors.

CJ had little gas left in their final at-bat, with Notre Dame turning a game-ending double play.

The Bulldogs managed eight hits, six walks and four earned runs off of Drury, who entered the game 9-0 with a 1.38 earned run average. The big right-handed senior threw a complete game and struck out 12 hitters in earning the championship game victory.

Congratulations are in order for Coach Darnell, his assistant coaches and his players. This group of young men won eight games in a row, including six consecutive on the road in the post-season, to set themselves up for their final battle. It took an outstanding team from Notre Dame to finally bring their season to a close. Their run may have seemed improbable to many, but for these players who believed in themselves and the concept of "team", they can hold their heads high knowing they brought a great deal of pride to Carl Junction.

Carl Junction to play for state championship

Bulldogs knock off Fulton 12-4

Carl Junction senior Travis Green made a valiant run thru the State wrestling tournament this winter, eventually advancing to the final match. On Friday, the Bulldogs’ catcher showed his teammates and everyone in attendance at the Missouri Class 3 baseball semi-finals just what it takes to advance to the championship game. Green did it with both his offense and his defense, throwing out two Fulton Hornets runners attempting to steal while driving in six runs in the Bulldogs’ 12-4 victory.

With the win, Carl Junction (16-10) advances to Saturday’s 4:00 finale where they’ll meet #1-ranked Cape Girardeau Notre Dame (27-1). The Notre Dame Bulldogs were 5-1 victors over Harrisonville in Friday’s other semi-final match, with all Final Four games being played at Meador Park in Springfield.

Fulton grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the second but the Bulldogs responded with an RBI double from Logan Deem, scoring Seth Spencer. The Hornets scored two more in the third inning on a single and back-to-back RBI doubles.

Trailing 3-1, the Bulldogs struck for 4 runs in the bottom half of the third. Matt Thompson and Payton Walker opened the inning with singles and Thompson came home on Jake Stevenson’s base hit. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch and came home on Spencer’s single. Spencer would finish 3-4 with three RBIs and a run scored.

The third inning rally appeared to hit a snag when Spencer was thrown out at home on a double from Jack Luton. But Luton came home on a two-out RBI single from Jake Hale.

The Bulldogs defense committed three errors in the fourth inning alone (and six for the game), leading to a rally that pulled the Hornets to within 5-4. But Green threw out a Fulton runner trying to steal and Stevenson struck out the final hitter, maintaining the slim lead.

Stevenson would finish with a complete-game seven-hitter, walking one and striking out six. Three of the four runs allowed were earned.

With the bottom of the fourth came a Fulton pitching change, with senior Brant Masek relieving starter Cameron Krull (5-2). Masek walked Garrett Carden before giving up consecutive singles to Thompson and Walker to load the bases.

After a strikeout, Green drilled a pitch towards the left field corner. Fulton’s leftfielder gave a tremendous effort, going airborne but barely managing to get his glove on the screamer. The ball went past him, rolling to the corner, as three Bulldogs came home. Green hustled his way to third, finishing with a 3-run triple.

Spencer singled home courtesy runner Brandon McCoy, giving the Bulldogs a 9-4 lead after four.

Stevenson gave up a leadoff single in the fifth but fanned the next two Hornets. Green then caught Charles McClelland attempting to steal to end the threat.

Carl Junction nearly brought the game to a premature ending in the fifth, courtesy of the 10-run rule. The Bulldogs first two hitters reached base, starting with singles by Thompson and Walker to chase another Fulton pitcher.

Senior Jacob Harrison moved to the mound from his shortstop position, immediately hitting Stevenson with a pitch to load the bases.

That brought one of this season’s many heroes to the plate in Green.

This time, Green drove the ball over the head of leftfielder Wilson Christensen. The result was another three RBIs for the senior leader on a stand-up double, giving the Bulldogs a commanding 12-4 lead.

Spencer reached base on a dropped third strike, giving the Bulldogs the base runners they needed for the 10-run lead and still without any outs. But Harrison struck out a pair of hitters before retiring Deem on a fly to center.

With one out and two on in the sixth, Stevenson struck out the final two Fulton hitters to end the inning.

With the large contingent of Carl Junction fans on hand rising to their feet, the Bulldogs infield got the final three outs on groundballs to Hale at short, Luton at second and finally Carden at third. The team celebrated their accomplishment with hugs and high fives near third base before quickly lining up for the traditional post-game show of sportsmanship by shaking the hands of their opponents.

And with the win in hand, the Bulldogs will turn their focus to Saturday’s game. Awaiting them are the Notre Dame Bulldogs, who finished third in 2000 (Class 2), 2002 (Class 2) and 2008 (Class 3).

The Bulldogs, riding a current eight-game winning streak, have been here before as well. Carl Junction was State runner-up in 2000, falling in the title game 6-1 to Jefferson City Helias.

Bulldogs advance to final four

Carl Junction will meet Fulton Friday after 13-1 victory

The scoreboard in Friday’s Class 3 quarterfinal contest told the story. Fortunately for the Carl Junction Bulldogs, the crooked numbers were lined up next to their name. The result was a convincing 13-1 win over the Clinton Cardinals, earning the Bulldogs a trip to next week’s final four showdown in Springfield.

The margin was good enough for the 10-run rule to kick in after five innings, and was the Bulldogs’ fourth such win in the past five games. Carl Junction (15-10) has scored 11 or more runs in all five of those games.

The ‘Dogs have won seven games in a row and 15 of their last 20. They’ll meet the Fulton Hornets (16-9) at 7:00 pm Friday night at Springfield’s Meador Park.

The only loss of the night for Carl Junction was the coin flip to decide which team would be home on the scoreboard. The Bulldogs settled for first at-bats and quickly took advantage of their opportunity.

"You would like to be the home team," Coach Flave Darnell said afterwards. "But scoring first like we did can give you a big advantage."

Freshman Payton Walker led off the game with a groundball single to right. Junior Jake Stevenson then set the tone for the game, driving the ball to deep left in the spacious Carl Lewton Stadium at Carthage. Clinton’s centerfielder gave it a valiant effort, eventually crashing into the wall as Stevenson finished the play with an RBI triple.

Stevenson came home on Travis Green’s groundout, giving the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead and turning out to be all the offense they would need.

With Stevenson on the mound, the Cardinals’ leadoff hitter hit a sinking liner to left but junior Andrew Wheeler played it perfectly. Wheeler’s play set the tone for a nearly flawless performance by the Bulldogs defense on the evening.

Stevenson retired the first two Cardinals hitters before Missouri State signee Nick Petree drove a ball over the right field fence to pull Clinton within 2-1.

The Bulldogs, however, were far from finished offensively.

In the second, Carl Junction added a run when sophomore Logan Deem came home on Walker’s groundout. The Bulldogs managed the score without the benefit of a hit, with Deem initially reaching on a catcher’s interference, a hit batter and a walk to Matt Thompson to load the bases.

Stevenson ran into minimal trouble in the bottom of the second. A hit batsman and an error put Cardinals on first and third with only one out. But third baseman Garrett Carden tracked down a popup near the Bulldogs’ dugout for the second out of the inning. Clinton started their runner from first during the following at bat, attempting a double steal. But the runner was tagged out by shortstop Jake Hale in a short rundown well before the Clinton runner on third could reach home plate.

During their half of the third inning, the Bulldogs showed what their team is really all about. Discipline. With a runner on base and two outs, they struck for five runs to extend their lead to 8-1. The rally included a walk to Hale, an RBI single from Deem, a 2-run bloop double from Thompson and an RBI single from Walker. During the rally, Carden was hit by a pitch for the second time in the game and eventually scored on a wild pitch.

After giving up five runs with two outs, Clinton may have completely lost any remaining hope during their subsequent at bat.

The Cardinals started the inning with a single and a walk, the only free pass allowed by Stevenson on the evening. After a groundout, the Cardinals had runners on second and third with Petree at the plate.

Stevenson and Petree went toe-to-toe, with Petree fouling off several pitches while eventually working the at-bat to a full count. Stevenson’s 3-2 fastball at the knees surprised Petree, who watched the pitch go by before hearing the umpire’s strike call.

Hale then fielded a grounder from Clinton’s clean-up hitter and fired to Seth Spencer at first, bringing an end to Clinton’s final threat of the evening.

Carl Junction added two more runs in the fourth. Spencer and sophomore Jack Luton recorded a pair of singles and Hale walked to load the bases. Deem walked, forcing in Spencer. Carden’s one-out sacrifice fly brought home Luton, putting the Bulldogs on top 10-1.

Stevenson struck out two Cardinals hitters in the fourth. He would finish his five-inning performance with four K’s, a hit batter, a walk and three hits allowed.

The Bulldogs put together a two-out, three-run rally in their final at-bat without the benefit of a base hit. Green reached safely on a two-base error and moved to third on a wild pitch. Spencer and Luton walked to load the bases, and another walk to Hale brought in courtesy runner Brandon McCoy. Deem then hit a grounder to Petree at short, who threw low to first allowing both Spencer and Luton to race home.

Facing the threat of the 10-run rule, Clinton went away quietly in their final at-bat. Thompson camped under a fly ball in right and Stevenson recorded the second out on a come-backer to the mound.

Stevenson let fly with one more pitch, shifted himself into fielding position and snagged the line drive hit back his way for the final out.

“I would have never guessed we could have run-ruled those guys,” Stevenson said afterwards, paying his respect to the Clinton team.

The Bulldogs last played in the state final four in 2000, when they won in the semi-finals but lost the title game. This year’s seniors were third graders at the time.

But something happened during the past nine years. Seniors Green, Spencer, Hale and pitcher Nathan Eddy were playing baseball every summer, honing their skills but perhaps only dreaming of a chance to reach a final four.

Their chances were bolstered with the development of several quality freshmen, sophomores and juniors, all playing important roles for the Bulldogs.

Now they’ve put themselves in a position that only two weeks ago a hundred Class 3 teams dreamed of. They’ll gather their equipment and make another trek up I-44, this time heading to the state semi-finals where they’ll be among the last four teams remaining in post-season play.

“I can’t believe we’re going to the final four next week,” Stevenson added with a large grin on his face. “This is fun.”

Bulldogs top Catholic in sectionals

Junior hurler Jake Stevenson knew the situation. He and his Carl Junction teammates had led the whole game and were now only one out away from the Class 3 quarterfinals. But the Bulldogs’ opponents were only a swing away from tying the game.

Leading 11-8 and with Springfield Catholic runners standing on second and third, Stevenson retired the final Irish batter on a grounder back to the mound, and the Bulldogs (14-10) moved one step closer to the final four.

Now Carl Junction must face the winner of the Ava (13-7) / Clinton (19-7) game, rained out on Wednesday and rescheduled for Thursday. The quarterfinal game will most likely be played on Friday at a site to be determined.

Playing at Catholic’s home field in Springfield, the Bulldogs struck first with four runs in the top of the opening frame. Catholic, with six seniors in their starting lineup, retaliated with three runs in their half of the inning to pull within 4-3.

The Bulldogs responded with another run in the second and eventually led 11-4 heading into the bottom of the sixth against the Irish, who were rated as high as number five in the Class 3 state polls earlier this season.

In the sixth, trouble started for Carl Junction’s starting pitcher, senior Jake Hale. Catholic (19-9) rallied, scoring three runs to pull within 11-7 and loading the bases with two outs. Stevenson relieved, recording the final out of the inning and getting the Bulldogs out of the jam.

The Irish, seeded fourth in their district, had won their previous two games with a come-from-behind victory against top-seeded Forsyth and a win in their final at bat against Monett to claim the district 11 title. They looked primed for another comeback against the Bulldogs, plating a run to pull within 11-8 and another pair of runners in scoring position.

But Stevenson, the winner in last week’s district finale against El Dorado Springs, recorded that final out in earning the save for the Bulldogs. Hale was credited with the win.

In post-season play, Carl Junction is 4-0 after putting double-figure run totals on the scoreboard each game.

The Bulldogs, winners of six straight, are now among the final eight teams still competing in Class 3. One more win, and they’ll advance to the final four to be held in Springfield June 5 and 6.

DISTRICT CHAMPS!

The Carl Junction Bulldogs took home the Missouri Class 3 District 12 title in convincing fashion. After earning a pair of 10-run victories in their first two games of district play, hosted by Lamar, the Bulldogs disposed of El Dorado Springs 11-1 in the title game.

For the week, Carl Junction outscored their opponents 37-7. With Thursday’s win over the Bulldogs from ElDo, Carl Junction advances to state play with a sectional game scheduled for Tuesday, May 27 at Springfield Catholic. The Irish knocked off Monett in the District 11 finale Wednesday.

Carl Junction seniors (from left to right) Travis Green, Jake Hale, Nathan Eddy and Seth Spencer

A small contingency from Catholic was on hand Thursday at Lamar and must have been impressed with what they witnessed. The Bulldogs’ Jake Stevenson was on the mound, throwing a complete game and only allowing a single run. And that run came on a solo homer that just cleared the 333-foot sign in left-center, a small field for high school play. Stevenson finished with a five-hitter.

The Bulldogs didn’t use the long ball to take advantage of the shorter outfield dimensions. Instead, they were busy spraying the ball around the outfield, hustling out infield hits and showing patience at the plate in drawing several walks. They finished with 16 hits, including four from sophomore Jack Luton.

The offensive action started in the bottom of the first, when the second-seeded Bulldogs loaded the bases with singles from freshman Payton Walker, junior Stevenson and senior Seth Spencer. Walker and Stevenson came home on a two-strike, two-out single from senior Jake Hale, putting the Bulldogs on top 2-0 after one inning.

In the second inning, Matt Thompson singled and stole second. The fleet-footed junior then stole third and raced home on an errant throw from the catcher during the play.

The Bulldogs took their 3-0 lead into the bottom of the third, when senior Travis Green and Spencer drew walks to start another rally. Luton placed a perfect bunt down the third base line for a single, loading the bases for Hale. Hale then drew a walk, forcing in the fourth run of the game for CJ. The Bulldogs finished their scoring on a two-run single from sophomore Logan Deem.

After the home run by El Dorado Springs in the top of the fourth cut the lead to 6-1, Carl Junction struck again. Green singled to center and was replaced on the bases by courtesy runner Brandon McCoy. McCoy swiped second and then scored on a single by Luton. Luton then stole second and scored on another hit by Hale. The scoring in the inning ended when sophomore Garrett Carden blooped a single to right, bringing home Hale and giving the Bulldogs a 9-1 lead after the fourth.

After a scoreless fifth, the Bulldogs brought the game to an end via the 10-run rule when they scored twice during the sixth. The final rally started with an infield single by Luton, followed by another single from Hale. Deem doubled off the fence in right field, driving home Luton. Carden was intentionally walked and with the bases loaded and only one run away from victory, Thompson singled thru the left side for the winning hit.

Bulldogs season round-up
POST SEASON

CJ 12, Mt. Vernon 2 (Class 3 District 12 Semi-Finals)

#2 Carl Junction (12-10) advanced to the district championship game with a 12-2 victory over the Mt. Vernon Mountaineers. The Bulldogs will take on #4 El Dorado Springs Thursday at Lamar. Game time is 6:00 p.m. El Do's Bulldogs upset #1 Nevada in the other semi-final Tuesday.

CJ 14, East Newton 4 (Class 3 District 12 Opener)

Nathan Eddy earned the win for the Bulldogs in the district opener played at Lamar. Carl Junction, the #2 seed, advanced to the semi-finals where they'll face #3 Mt. Vernon. Jake Hale homered for the Bulldogs (11-10). The game also counted as the Big 8 finale for both teams, with CJ finishing the conference campaign with a 5-2 mark.

REGULAR SEASON

CJ 8, Frontenac 1

CJ 8, Seneca 1

Carl Junction ended their regular season with a pair of 8-1 victories, winning on the road at Seneca and Frontenac.

Jake Stevenson fired a 3-hitter in leading Carl Junction to the 8-1 victory against the Indians. The Bulldogs district opener against East Newton will be counted as both a conference game and the opener of the Class 3 District 12 tournament. With the win over Seneca, they advanced their conference mark to 4-2.

Nevada 7, CJ 5

CJ 8, Mt. Vernon 7

The Bulldogs continue to hover near the .500 mark, picking up a conference win against Mt. Vernon before losing at Nevada in a make-up game. Carl Junction is now 8-10 overall and 3-2 in Big 8 play.

Nixa 12, CJ 9

Monett 14, CJ 12

The Carl Junction Bulldogs scored 21 runs over two days, but the offense wasn't enough to earn the team a victory either day. After losing a tough 14-12 battle to Big 8 foe Monett on Thursday, the Bulldogs hosted Nixa Friday. The visiting Eagles built an early 7-1 lead after three innings, but the Bulldogs fought back to trail 7-6 after the fourth. Nixa's offense kicked into gear again, eventually earning a 12-9 non-conference victory over the Bulldogs.

The pair of losses dropped Carl Junction to 7-9.

The Bulldogs' Jake Stevenson focuses on
another Cassville hitter
(photo courtesy Action Sports Photos)

Fans can view pictures for sale at Cassville's
Action Sports Photos website. This site
contains some great photos of the varsity
game between Carl Junction and Cassville
played on Thursday, April 16. To view the
pictures, go to Action Sports Photos.
Bulldogs Freshman Payton Walker
delivers a pitch against Carthage

CJ 8, Lamar 1

Carl Junction, behind the complete game gem from senior Jake Hale, knocked off the Lamar Tigers 8-1 at home. The win lifted the Bulldogs to 2-1 in Big 8 play.

With a 6-3 win over Neosho earlier in the week, the win over Lamar brought the Bulldogs' season record to an even 7-7.

Cassville 9, CJ 6

Cassville scored 7 runs in the third inning, building a 9-0 lead over visiting Carl Junction. The Bulldogs' rally, including three runs in the final frame, fell short as the Wildcats topped Carl Junction 9-6.

Carl Junction managed only 4 hits, including a double from Jake Hale.

The loss dropped the Bulldogs to 1-1 in Big 8 play and 5-7 overall.

CJ 3, Aurora 2

Carl Junction got a run-scoring single from sophomore Garrett Carden in the bottom of the ninth, scoring Jake Stevenson with the winning run in a 3-2 victory over Aurora. Stevenson had reached base on a double, only the third hit of the game for the Bulldogs.

The game was the Big 8 opener for both teams.

Senior Jake Hale pitched all nine innings, allowing a pair of runs in the second inning before shutting out the Houn' Dawgs during the next seven frames.

Bulldogs take third at Carthage

The CJ Bulldogs knocked off Lamar 4-0 in the third place game of the Bill O'Dell Tournament played at Carthage. Senior Nathan Eddy thru a complete game 2-hitter in shutting out the Tigers. Classmate Seth Spencer provided all the run support Eddy would need with a first inning, run-scoring, two-out single.

The Bulldogs' trek to the third-place game began with a 9-7 win over Mt. Vernon earlier in the week. Carl Junction scored four runs in their final at-bat, including a two-run double from Jake Stevenson. The Bulldogs advanced to the semi-final round, where they met Webb City. The Cardinals prevailed 6-5 in a six-inning affair - the game was shortened due to lightening followed by rain. The Bulldogs actually outhit the Cards 9-5 including a solo home run from catcher Travis Green. Stevenson added a single and a triple.

Bulldogs 2009 season underway

The Carl Junction Bulldogs opened their season March 23 in the Republic Tournament, playing well but losing all 3 games in the week-long event. The 'Dogs then lost a pair of back-to-back games to Carthage by scores of 6-5 and 3-2, falling to a quick 0-5.

But Carl Junction, which fell in last year's district finals, finishing 19-6 overall and #7 in the final state rankings, found their way into the 2009 win column with a 9-8 victory over Riverton on April 2. The Rams built an early 8-0 lead, only to see the Bulldogs rally to win it on senior Seth Spencer's 7th inning single.

The Bulldogs moved that winning streak to 2 games the following day, topping rival Webb City 11-8. The Cardinals built a 5-2 lead before Carl Junction struck for 6 runs of their own in the third inning. Webb City rallied, eventually tying the game at 8-8 after six innings. In the top half of the seventh, senior Jake Hale was hit by a pitch igniting a 3-run rally. Junior Jake Stevenson followed with an infield single and senior Travis Green walked, loading the bases. Seth Spencer then singled to score Hale with what proved to be the decisive run. Stevenson scored on an error before sophomore Logan Deem finished the rally with a run-scoring single. Sophomore pitcher Jared Forker earned his first varsity pitching victory.