Knights dominate Tigers to advance to semi-finals

FARMINGTON – The Farmington Knights baseball team proved to the No. 9 seeded Arcadia Valley Tigers why they earned the top seed on Tuesday. Farmington had two very big innings as they easily came out on top 15-5 in five innings.

The Knights quickly took the lead with a solid first inning. Schuyler Semar reached base due to a mishandled strike-out pitch. Josh Taylor and Aaron Holman both connected for a single to load the bases. Stuart Sago made a ground ball to drive in Semar while Lucas Vogelsang took a hit by a pitch to load the bases again.

Matt Usherwood crushed a triple to center field while Josh Kimrey laid down a bunt to knock in Usherwood. Farmington quickly took a 5-0 lead after the first inning.

Arcadia Valley’s Nick Benz and Luchas Laird both drew walks at the start of the second inning. A single from Dereck Wilson loaded the bases, and Benz scored on a wild pitch. Luchas Laird scored on a fielder’s choice play from Tyler Laird as the Tigers narrowed the gap 5-2.

In the bottom of the second inning , Holman drew a walk and advanced to second base on a wild pitch. Sago crushed a two-out double to left-center to drive in Holman and give the Knights a little breathing room.

Ryan Esselman connected for a single in the third inning for the Tigers while Jacob Yarbrough drew a walk. Esselman moved to third base due to a steal and a wild pitch. A ground ball from Luchas Laird drove in Esselman while Yarbrough advanced to third base. An infield error allowed Yarbrough to score for a 6-4 game.

Usherwood nailed a double while Cody Rodgers connected for a single in the bottom of the third inning. Usherwood later reached home on two wild throws for a 7-4 game.

The Knights refused to ease up in the fourth quarter. With men on the corners and two outs, Usherwood made his third hit of the game with an RBI-single, and Josh Kimrey drove in another run with a double. Rodgers drew a walk to fill the bases, Kevin King crushed a grand slam to left field for a dominating 13-4 lead.

Arcadia Valley’s Brandon Klinsbeck drew a bases-loaded walk in the top of the fifth inning for the Tigers last run of the game.

In the bottom of he fifth, Holman hit his second single of the afternoon and advanced to second base due to a wild pitch. After Sago drew a walk, Usherwood drilled his fourth hit of the game to center field to drive in Holman. Justin Hill smashed a single to left field to score Sago and end the game early.

Farmington (13-3) will play West County at Wilson-Rozier Park today at 4:30 p.m. Arcadia Valley (6-9) will play Potosi at North County today at 4:30 p.m.

Arcadia Valley – 022 01 – 5 5 1

Farmington – 511 62 – 15 13 2

Arcadia Valley:

Hitting – Wilson 2, Esselman, Benz, T Laird.

Pitching – Pollock (L) 4i 10h 13r 11er 3bb 4k 1hb, Wilson 1i 3h 2r 1bb.

Farmington:

Hitting – Usherwood 4, Holman 2, Kimrey 2, Taylor, Hill, Rodgers, King, Sago. 2b – Sago, Usherwood. 3b – Usherwood. GS – King.

Pitching – Boyer (W) 4i 4h 4r 2er 3bb 1k, Gonz 1i 1h 1r 1bb 1k.