By Cinthia Rico IDER – Plainview and Collinsville clashed Saturday afternoon at Ider Park for the 2024 county title.
The Bears triumphed over the Panthers 6-2 in the final to claim their third consecutive county championship.
“I am proud of our kids,” said Plainview’s head varsity baseball coach, Phillip Johnson. “Braxton Henson had two big out hits there to give us some runs, and Austin Anderson on the mount has been phenomenal for us all year.”
On the hill for Plainview, Austin Anderson earned the victory by striking out eight batters in seven innings while giving up just two hits and five runs.
Collinsville’s Lucas McDaniel got things moving, scoring a run at the top of the first, and the Panthers took the lead.
Plainview’s Reagan Davis tied the game at 1 at the bottom of the first before adding three more runs in the third when Trey Rutledge singled on a line drive, Ephan Benjume and Davis scored, and the Bears took the lead 3-1.
In the bottom of the fifth, a Braxton Henson single gave Rutledge and Davis another chance to cross home plate, extending Plainview’s lead to 5-1.
Collinsville’s Will Edmondson scored on a Tytan Morgan triple in the sixth to narrow the gap to 5-2.
Cy Traylor scored on a catcher error at the bottom of the sixth to close out scoring for the evening and lift Plainview to a 6-2 win over the Panthers.
“I am super proud of this senior group; they worked extremely hard, and it’s cool as a coach to see it all come together at the end of the year.”
Henson led the Bears with three runs batted in, going 2-for-3.
Tytan Morgan made the most of his chances at the plate, leading Collinsville with two hits in three at-bats.
Gavin Lang took the loss on the mound for the Panthers, surrendering six runs on seven hits, striking out eight, and walking one over six innings.
“Sylvania in the first game did an outstanding job. Gavin Chambers is really good on the mound,” Johnson remarked. “We stayed in the fight and kept competing.
“Trey Rutledge did a great job for us on the mound, and we found a way to get enough hits to score.”
Against Collinsville, the Gavin Lang kid is phenomenal. They are a good offensive team; they do things the right way.
Both Plainview and Collinsville will now turn their attention to the postseason that kicked off this week.
Plainview 3, Sylvania 0 (Semifinal)
Trey Rutledge earned the win for Plainview, allowing four hits and no runs over seven innings and striking out eight.
After a scoreless first three innings, Plainview took the lead in the fourth. Braxton Henson doubled on a 0-2 count, Sampson scored to put the Bears in front 1-0, and Ephan Benjume and Traylor crossed the plate on an error to make it a 3-0 game going into the sixth.
Jordan Lankford led Geraldine at the plate with two hits in three at-bats, while Jayse Cook made the most plays with seven.
Gavin Chambers took the loss for the Rams, allowing three runs on four hits, striking out five, and walking one over six innings.
Collinsville 3, Geraldine 0 (Semifinal)
Zach Clanton earned the win for Collinsville, only allowing two hits and no runs over seven innings while striking out seven and recording 21 outs.
The Panthers took an early lead in the first. A Will Edmondson single put the Panthers in front 1-0, and Jake Middlebrooks crossed the plate on a walk to make it a 2-0 game going into the third. Clanton closed out scoring at the bottom of the sixth with a double on a line drive, and Tytan Morgan scored for a 3-0 final.
Jordan Lankford led Geraldine at the plate with two hits in three at-bats, while Jayse Cook made the most plays with seven.
The two-day tournament began Friday, April 12, in the opening round. Plainview shutout Crossville 15-0, Sylvania overpowered Ider 15-1, and on Saturday morning, Geraldine defeated Fyffe 8-5, and Collinsville shutout Valley Head 13-0.
Braxton Franklin took the loss for the Bulldogs, allowing two runs on four hits, and striking out one over five innings.
The two-day tournament began Friday, April 12 in the opening round, Plainview shutout Crossville 15-0, Sylvania overpowered Ider 15-1, and on Saturday morning Geraldine defeated Fyffe 8-5 and Collinsville shutout Valley Head 13-0.
The two-day tournament began Friday, April 12 in the opening round, Plainview shutout Crossville 15-0, Sylvania overpowered Ider 15-1, and on Saturday morning Geraldine defeated Fyffe 8-5 and Collinsville shutout Valley Head 13-0.
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