By By RYAN ROCKWELL, Sports Writer
BEAR GRASS -- Five Bear miscues negated a three-hit, 14 strikeout performance by right-hander Brooks Walker, as Southside stole a 2-1 road victory.
The tandem of starting pitcher Ryan Blockard and long-reliever Kevin Boyd (five strikeouts) spread out five hits, as Boyd got the win in four innings of relief. Blockard was charged with the Bears' lone run.
Bear Grass (1-2) left seven men on base and nearly got the tying run in the seventh after a leadoff double by Josh Ward. The third baseman never left the bag, however, as Boyd rung up the next two batters, before centerfielder Billy Carter tracked down a long fly by Walker.
The Seahawks (2-1) got both of their runs on errors by the Bear defense. In the first, Carter drew a leadoff walk and then stole second, putting himself in scoring position. The second batter, Boyd, softly singled up the middle and Carter scored all the way from second on a late and errant throw to first by shortstop Alan Mobley.
Then in the fifth, Southside took a 2-1 lead on two throwing errors. After a leadoff hit by Kevin McRay, Carter bunted a slow roller down the first base line and bulleted toward the bag. Carter already had the base for a single but first baseman Kevin Harris fired over the covering Travis Rogerson's head, allowing McRay to advance to third.
McRay gamely attempted to steal home on Boyd's at-bat, but was tagged out. Meanwhile, Carter, who had already stolen second base, headed towards third and catcher Brandon Mobley attempted to throw him out. The throw overshot the third baseman and Carter trotted in for the score.
Bear Grass got its run in the third and had opportunities for a big inning. The first two batters were aboard as Sam Raby was hit by a pitch and Trent Wynne singled to the fence in left-center.
With one out and runners on second and third, Brent Wynne grounded to the mound, where Blockard attempted to pick off Raby at third. Seahawk third baseman Robbie Lee Chandler was called for interference, blocking Raby from the bag and Raby scored due to the penalty.
Then, with two outs and the bases loaded, Brandon Mobley drove a deep shot to the gap in left-center. But, Carter got on his horse and covering ground quickly, making the running grab and prevented multiple RBIs for Mobley.
Blockard was outstanding in his three innings, giving up just one hit while walking three. Blockard was pulled because he was on a strict pitch count. Boyd, who played the first three innings at catcher, took the mound in the fourth and shut down the Bears.
The two Southside pitchers may have been outshined by the amazing effort of Walker, however. The ace struck out six of seven batters at one point and struck out the side in the second and the fourth.
Southside 100 010 0 -- 2 3 1
Bear Grass 001 000 0 -- 1 5 5
WP: Kevin Boyd. LP: Brooks Walker.
S: Billy Carter 1-3, Kevin Boyd 1-3, Kevin McRay 1-2; BG: Alan Mobley 1-2, Brandon Mobley 1-3, Kevin Harris 1-3, Trent Wynne 1-2, Josh Ward 1-1 (2B).