T-Ball State: PC defense shuts down EMC, 15-7
night's win over EMC American. (Photo by John Krueger)
CENTER, TX -- The Panola County T-Ball All-Stars turned a defensive showdown into an offensive show here at Center Noon Lions Park Wednesday evening as the Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead early and turned it into a lop-sided 15-7 win over East Montgomery County American in the semifinals of the Dixie T-Ball South Division State Tournament.
Coming off their initial loss of the tourney on Tuesday night at the hands of East Montgomery County National, 19-10, the defending Texas T-Ball State Champions needed a spark and manager Calvin Wilson received just that as time after time Panola recorded big plays on the defensive side of the ball. Two of the many plays were a heads-up tag at third on a force-out by Fat Fat Roquemore and a leaping catch at second by Colby Davidson.
On the offensive side, Panola County started slow, scoring just two runs in the opening frame, But the Dawgs then exploded for 13 over the next two innings, including a two-run homer by Mason Smith. Meanwhile, the team's defense did the rest. Panola County finished the game with 19 hits in three innings, with seven players finishing with multiple hits.
The job is not done for Panola, however. Because of their loss on Tuesday, the win advances PC into the championship round and matches the team up against EMC National once again on Thursday night. The teams will square off at 5 p.m. in Center. And because EMC National is still unbeaten in the tournament, Panola County must record a pair of wins to advance on to the state series with the North champion next week.
A second game between the two teams, if needed, would be played immediately after the first contest Thursday.
Bo Hammons and Connor Cuff led the balanced Panola County attack against EMC American. Both players posted perfect 3-for-3 games at the plate, scoring four runs between them. Cuff also tagged a triple and drove in two runs.
Braxton Etheridge went 2-for-3 with a double and a pair of runs and two RBIs, Smith was a perfect 2-for-2 with a pair of RBIs and two runs scored, to go along with his round-tripper, Colby Davidson pushed in three runs on a 2-for-3 outing, Alex Tyner went 2-for-2 with a run driven in and Lane Wilson doubled, scored twice, drove in a pair of runs and was 2-for-2.
Thomas Weidner finished 1-for-2 with a double, a run scored and a pair of RBIs, Jaydan Cockerham went 1-for-2 with a run scored and another driven in and Roquemore picked up a hit in two at-bats, with a run scored. Cole Curry and Logan Presley also chipped in and helped his team to a victory.
Albert Pearson, Adrien Espitia, Everett Benright, Joshua Robinson, Logan Windham and Jayden Leonard all had one hit and a run scored for EMC American.
Panola county's Hammons and Coff both plated in the first inning to put the team in front. EMC countered with a solo home run by Benright to cut the deficit in the top of the second to 2-1.
Weidner and Etheridge both posted doubles in the bottom of the second for Panola, while Coff added a triple to lead an onslaught of five runs and an 8-1 lead heading to the third.
East Montgomery County American made its biggest push in the top of the third when six runs crossed the plate as the Panola County lead was cut to 8-7. Roquemore helped the Bulldogs get out of the inning with an alert defensive play at third.
A two-run homer by Smith and a double by Wilson helped Panola record the maximum of seven runs in the bottom of the third. Roquemore, Cockerham, Presley, Wilson, Weidner, Smith and Etheridge all plated before the inning was called.
Panola County then stiffened defensively and did not allow a run by EMC in the top of the fourth as Davidson ended the game with a leaping grab at second.
This story will appear in the Panola Watchman.
Dixie T-Ball (6U) State Tournament
(at Center Noon Lions Park, Center, Tx.)
WEDNESDAY, JULY 20
Gm 20: Panola County National 15, EMC American 7
Gm 21: EMC National 20, Center 5
Note: EMC National enters the championship round as unbeaten team. Panola County National will have to defeat EMC twice to win state championship.
THURSDAY, JULY 21
Championship Round
Gm 22: EMC National vs. Panola County National, 5 p.m.
Gm 23: (If necessary) - Teams will play again at 6:30 p.m. for championship if Panola County National wins Gm 22.