Nationals strike first in 12-year-old district

By MATT KING
Daily Journal Sports Writer

LEADWOOD - Aaron Hargis struck out seven batters in a complete-game effort on Saturday, and the MACRBA 12-year-old Nationals began 60’ bases district playoff action with a 5-2 triumph over their league-rival Americans.

J.T. Morgan capped a pivotal second inning with a two-run single through the middle that made it 3-2 and stood as the game-winning hit. Dennis Pogue was hit by a pitch to force home Anthony Brakefield earlier in the frame.

Brakefield finished 2-for-3 and scored two runs to pace the National squad. Hargis retired nine of his final 10 batters and scattered five hits while yielding no walks in the win.

Four consecutive two-out hits helped to extend the margin in the fifth. RBI singles from Ian Semar and Hunter Ballew brought home Tyler Sullivan and pinch-runner Ryne Scherffius to complete the scoring.

Drew Spangler gave the American all-stars an early 2-0 advantage with a powerful two-run homer to left field. The third baseman also started a nifty double play in the first with a lunging stop to his left.

Hayden Helvey finished 2-for-3 while John Hovick and Austin Earnest chipped in additional singles for the Americans. Starting pitcher Gavin Brines lasted the duration in defeat with two strikeouts.

Helvey opened the top of the sixth with a single, but could not advance after third baseman Pogue and right fielder Jake Andrews made solid catches on dangerous line drives.

The second contest between the teams was suspended Saturday evening with the Nationals holding a 1-0 lead. The Americans had runners at second and third in the top of the second inning when rain halted the action.

The teams will resume playing today at 4 p.m.