Hounds tighten hold on first place

By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

FARMINGTON — The Farmington Hounds erupted for five runs during the decisive fourth inning, and defeated the Park Hills Giants 8-2 in a key MABA Junior Babe Ruth showdown on Wednesday night.

Jake Rhodes compiled eight strikeouts and scattered five hits while pitching a complete-game win, and helped his own cause with a three-run triple that put the Hounds ahead to stay.

Giants pitcher Garrett Manion walked Blake Archer and Jared Dunlap after Sam Thompson singled to center, and Rhodes cleared the bases with a deep drive to the fence in right-center.

Rhodes forced six throws moments later before safely reaching the plate in a wild rundown, and Rider Garrett made it 7-2 with a sacrifice fly. Jimmy Moore circled the bases on a double and two errant throws in the fifth.

Lead-off man Jared Dunlap scored three runs as the Hounds (8-1) increased their American Division lead to 1 1/2 games over the second-place Giants (7-3), who committed six errors overall.

Zack Manford finished 2-for-3 including a game-tying RBI single in the third, as the Giants ripped three straight two-out hits. Dale Mosier drilled a RBI triple to right-center after Levi Ragsdale singled to begin the rally.

The Giants wasted their previous scoring chance in the second after runners stood at second and third with no outs. Rhodes would escape the danger by notching three consecutive swinging strikeouts.

Evan Dunivan triggered the scoring with a RBI single in the first, and the Hounds led 2-0 following another unearned tally in the second. Dante Castro also singled in the victory.

Riley Calvird singled and Mosier pitched 2 2/3 innings with no earned runs allowed for the Giants, who stranded the bases loaded to end the contest.