Prevailing in a tournament often comes down to which team can survive the war of attrition. Inning restrictions, player vacations or a bad bounce at the worst possible time can make or break a title run.
Womack Printing showed Thursday night that it could weather all the storms in the boys 9-10 junior league tournament. With only eight players, Womack Printing was able to top Homeland Bank 2-0 in the winner’s bracket finals and move one win away from a championship.
Taylor Smith gave all he had in the four innings he was allowed to pitch, then Logan Earls entered in relief and was strong on the mound as the duo combined for 12 strikeouts while tossing a shutout against the tournament’s Cinderella team. Homeland Bank, which finished last in the regular season with a 1-6 record,  toppled top seed Quality Mold in the opening round and went on to double its regular-season win total with a victory over Southern Standard in the semifinals.
Going into the game, both coaching staffs knew the other team’s ace would only be able to work four innings. After pitching two innings each in victories earlier in the week, Smith and Homeland Bank starter Jake Jones were set to match up at the onset – leaving both teams knowing runs would be at a premium.
The pitcher’s duel was everything it was expected to be for the first two innings. Jones allowed two walks in the first two innings, but held Womack Printing hitless and off the scoreboard. Will Wrisner and Will Vance each had hits against Smith in the first two innings, but the Womack Printing hurler responded with four strikeouts – three of which came in the second inning.
Smith followed with three straight strikeouts in the third inning, giving Womack Printing momentum going into the bottom of the third.
Nathan Elrod finally sparked the offense with a single after the team had to take an automatic out to start the frame. Elrod moved into scoring position by stealing second and third, then was able to break the scoreless tie when Earls smashed a single into the outfield. Reagan Woodlee made it 2-0, giving his team some breathing room in the process, with a RBI single of his own.
Smith and Earls made the lead stand up. Smith worked a clean fourth inning before Earls slammed the door shut by striking out five of the six batters he faced in the final two frames.
Earls final strikeout punched Womack Printing’s ticket to the tournament finals while Homeland Bank dropped into the loser’s bracket, where it will face Prater’s BBQ Monday night.
Prater’s BBQ was the second winner Thursday night. The team advanced by defeating Pigeon Hill Farms 6-5 on a three-run rally in the final inning.
Prater’s BBQ and Pigeon Hill Farms went into the fifth inning tied 3-3, but Pigeon Hill Farms surged ahead and looked poised to advance when it scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning. Riley Morton’s RBI triple was a key as it scored Curtlan George to break the tie. Morton would score later on Braden Marcum’s groundout.
Instead of being shook by Morton’s big blast that helped Pigeon Hill Farms take a 5-3 advantage, Prater’s BBQ battled back to survive and advance.
Taylor Hillis got the ball rolling with a single and two stolen bases. Layne Roberts came up with a big boost with a RBI triple of his own, bringing Prater’s BBQ within one in the bottom of the fifth. Rance McBride, who finished 3-for-3, came through with a game-tying RBI single and proved to be the winning run when he scored on a sacrifice to end the game.
Pigeon Hill Farms led 3-0 early when George singled and scored in the first inning and Kilynn King drilled a two-run single in the third inning.
Prater’s BBQ responded by tying the game with three runs on the third. Christopher Veach started the frame with a double, which was followed by a RBI triple by Cullen Lopez, run-scoring single by Roberts and a game-tying double from McBride.
Tournament action will resume Monday night at Sam Martin Field when Prater’s BBQ and Homeland Bank meet at 5:30 p.m.