Pumas defeat Giants in a low-scoring classic

PARK HILLS – The Park Hills Giants and Potosi Pumas engaged in a classic pitcher’s duel on Friday. Entering the contest, the Giants were sitting atop the Junior Babe Ruth National Division, while the Pumas were tied for second place in the American League.

Potosi’s Kevin Brown and Park Hills’ Dustin Bess traded scoreless innings, thanks in part to some tremendous defense from both teams. Each squad had its opportunities to take the lead throughout the game, but failed to push a run across the plate. Potosi finally broke through with a run in the eighth inning to earn a crucial 1-0 victory.

Brown scattered four hits and struck out four batters over seven innings to earn the victory. Bess gave up six hits and also struck out four in his seven innings of work, but was tabbed with a no decision.

Justin Forsythe gave up the decisive run in the eighth inning, and took the loss for the Giants. Kyle Fryman pitched a perfect eighth inning for the Pumas to earn the save.

The Pumas nearly took the lead in the top of the fifth inning. Matt Reed led off with a single, and stood at third base with one out, but did not score. The Giants had a runner at third base with two outs in the sixth inning, but stranded him.

The Giants had a golden opportunity to win the game in the home half of the seventh. Ryan McFarland led off with a single, and was joined on base by Todd Lee, who reached on an error. Brown buckled down and retired the next three hitters he faced to dodge the bullet.

Potosi started the eighth inning with three consecutive hits. Jake Darling started things with a pinch-hit single. An infield single by Brown, and a bloop single by Kyle Heifner loaded the bases.

The Giants’ defense turned a nifty double play from first base to home, and back to first. Brown hustled all the way from second base on the play and slide into home plate with the winning run. Fryman retired the side in the bottom of the eighth inning to preserve the victory.

Heifner led the Pumas at the plate by going 2-4 with a double. McFarland was 2-3 with a pair of singles to lead the Giants. The Pumas outhit the Giants 9-4.

The Pumas are 5-2 on the season. They will host the Farmington Dolphins on Monday. The Dolphins are now tied with the Giants in the loss column for first place in the American Division. The Giants (6-2) will travel to Frankclay on Tuesday for a battle against the Leadwood Rockies.

Cubs 10, Falcons 9

DESLOGE – If the Desloge Cubs were going to stay on top of the national division of the 13-15 Year Old, it was a must win game for the Cubs Thursday evening. With the Bonne Terre Red Sox bearing down on the heels of the Cubs, the Farmington Falcons traveled to Brightwell Park for a date with the Cubs. The Cubs got off to a rocky start but fought back to knock off Farmington 10-9 in eight innings.

Dan Burt picked up the win for Desloge. Burt pitched seven innings, gave up two runs on five hits, and fanned 11 batters.

Derek Archer led the Cubs at the plate with four singles. Burt had three singles and Dustin Hahn had a double and a single. Adam Ketcherside and Phil Schunks each had a pair of singles.

The Cubs improve to 5-1 and will host the Park Hills Phillies on Tuesday. The Falcons fall to 1-3.