Semoball

Scott City baseball picks up satisfying 14-4 win over Portageville to claim C3D1 title

Scott City left-hander Dakota Talley delivers a pitch to a Portageville batter during the Class 3 District 1 championship game Monday in Charleston, Missouri. The Rams won 14-4.
DUSTIN WARD ~ Delta Dunklin Democrat

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- The No. 2-seeded Scott City Rams broke a 3-3 tie with five runs in the top of the third inning and never looked back, as it beat the No. 1-seeded Portageville Bulldogs 14-4 in the Class 3 District 1 baseball championship Monday at Benny Hillhouse Park.

The result was a satisfying one for the Rams, who will face the District 2 winner, to be decided between Malden and Doniphan today. The sectional game will be May 21.

"Three hundred-sixty five days ago we got our tails beat by this team," Scott City coach Jim May said. "We had six seniors that graduated that were starters off that team. Coming into this year we heard about how we weren't going to be any good because we couldn't replace our seniors.

The Scott City baseball team celebrates following a victory over Portageville in the Class 3 District 1 championship Monday night at Benny Hillhouse Park in Charleston, Missouri. The Rams won 14-4.
DUSTIN WARD ~ Delta Dunklin Democrat

"Our kids have busted their butts and done everything that has been asked of them this year. To reach 17 wins and win a district title is a testament to them. I couldn't be more proud of a group of young men."

Scott City (17-11) loaded the bases in the top of the third inning after Spencer Stratman collected a leadoff walk, Dakota Talley reached base on an infield error and Chris Phillips followed with a one-out walk. The next hitter, Ramsey Evans, collected an RBI hit to put Scott City on top 4-3.

Three additional runs scored when Jimmy May collected an RBI hit that bounced past the left fielder. May later scored from third base on a wild pitch to put Scott City up 8-3.

Portageville (17-8) trimmed the deficit to 8-4 when Hunter Gates hit a leadoff triple and Connor Barham followed with an RBI ground-out in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Scott City added three runs in the sixth and three runs in the seventh to set the final score.

Talley finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs while also earning the win on the mound. He pitched the first 6 2/3 innings for Scott City before being lifted, allowing four runs on eight hits with one strikeout, five walks and two hit batters.

"He's been lights out down the stretch," May said of Talley. "He doesn't overpower you but he's crafty and gets things done. We survived today and get to play next week. It's exciting."

The Scott City baseball team celebrates following a victory over Portageville in the Class 3 District 1 championship Monday night at Benny Hillhouse Park in Charleston, Missouri. The Rams won 14-4.
DUSTIN WARD ~ Delta Dunklin Democrat

Scott City took a 3-0 lead without a hit in the top of the first inning. Jimmy May and Joe Panagos drew consecutive walks to start the frame and later scored on infield errors. Talley added a sacrifice fly to plate the third run.

Portageville tied things up at 3-3 when it scored three runs in the bottom of the second inning. The Bulldogs drew two walks, were plunked twice by pitches and hit two singles. Gabe Hughes was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, Bub Lance drew a bases-loaded walk and Gates picked up an RBI single to knot the score.

Alex Riddle pitched the first three innings for Portageville. He allowed eight runs, three runs, walked five.

Connor Barham relieved Riddle at the start of the top of the fourth inning. He allowed three runs, three hits, struck out two and walked three in three innings pitched.

Kile Adams took over for Barham in the top of the seventh inning, recording two outs, allowing three runs, surrendering one hit and walking three.

The Scott City baseball team celebrates following a victory over Portageville in the Class 3 District 1 championship Monday night at Benny Hillhouse Park in Charleston, Missouri. The Rams won 14-4.
DUSTIN WARD ~ Delta Dunklin Democrat

Scott City finished with eight hits and drew 11 walks.

"We knew they had to throw their No. 1 Saturday," May said of his team's offensive approach. "We wanted to be patient at the plate and swing at strikes. We made them throw strikes today and when we didn't we hurt them."

Scott City3050033--1481
Portageville0300100--486

WP -- Dakota Talley. LP -- Alex Riddle. 3B -- Hunter Gates (P). 2B -- Ramsey Evans (SC), Spencer Stratman (SC), Gates (P), Jacob Leonard (P). Multiple hits -- Scott City: Evans 2-4, Talley 2-4; Portageville: Gates 3-4, Kile Adams 2-4.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: