Patience helps Farmington earn Senior Legion win

FARMINGTON — The Farmington Senior Legion Post 416 baseball team adopted a more patient approach after a quiet first trip through the batting order.

Three consecutive walks led directly to an outburst of five runs in the third inning, and Farmington notched an 8-4 victory over De Soto S.M.C.I. on Monday evening.

Jordan Ankrom delivered the crushing hit of the extended rally with a 3-run triple, and lead-off batter Logan Winder went 3-for-4 with two runs scored for Post 416.

Farmington received a stellar performance from its starting hurler for the second straight game as Conner Forsythe allowed one hit through six innings.

Cameron Tinker smoked an RBI double in the opening frame for De Soto after Zach Hart reached on an error.

Ankrom picked off his opposing catcher moments later, and Forsythe steadily retired 15 of his final 16 batters to take command. He finished with seven strikeouts.

Winder robbed Cole White with a diving play up the middle in the top of the third inning, and Farmington grabbed the lead moments later.

Dennis Pogue chopped a single over third base to greet De Soto starter Clayton Boyer, who issued subsequent free passes to Winder, Jonah Barnes and Forsythe.

Ankrom broke a temporary 1-1 tie when his drive to right-center field cleared the bases, and scored on Brandt Busenbark’s ground ball after surviving a rundown between third and home.

Forsythe departed the mound with a 6-1 advantage after right fielder Anthony Breakfield added a 2-out, RBI single in the Farmington fifth.

Blake Worley pitched the final three innings with three runs allowed. He mixed in five walks with four strikeouts.

De Soto drew slightly closer on an RBI single by Hart, only its second hit of the night, but Worley escaped the eighth by fanning the dangerous Tinker.

Barnes capped his 2-for-4 game with an RBI single in the home half, and Ankrom was hit by an Adam Killian pitch with a bases loaded to make the Farmington lead 8-2.

Judd Weible gave Post 416 a needed defensive gem in the ninth, ranging back from first base to make a basket catch over his shoulder for the first out.

Matt McClain ripped a 2-run single after Trey Terry and White executed a double steal with two outs, but the De Soto comeback bid ended there.

Farmington will travel to district power Festus Post 253 on Tuesday, and will follow a Junior Legion game in a doubleheader.

Farmington Post 416 catcher Jordan Ankrom cuts down a De Soto runner at second base with a strong throw in the first inning.

Conner Forsythe allowed just one hit and fanned seven batters through six innings for the Farmington Senior Legion against De Soto.

Post 416 left fielder Dennis Pogue tracks down a De Soto fly ball in the gap as center fielder Brendan Ferris veers away.