Shedd's ninth inning single gives Lions 10-9 victory over Rivercrest

Manila gained revenge over Rivercrest with a thrilling 10-9 victory Tuesday afternoon at Manila, a day after losing a heartbreaking 3-2 decision to the Colts Monday afternoon at Rivercrest. Senior third baseman Michael Shedd gave the Lions the win with a bases loaded RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning after the Colts had rallied from a five run deficit to take the lead.

The Lions built what seemed to be a safe 8-3 advantage heading into the top of the sixth inning, but saw the Colts rally for a six spot, aided by back to back home runs off the bats of Blake Coffman and Josh Fleming that tied the score at 8-8. Rivercrest scored one run before Coffman smashed his three run homer to pull the Colts to within one, 8-7. Fleming then launched a towering solo blast over the left field fence to tie the game. The Colts took the lead when Daly Chipman drilled a two-out RBI double, giving Rivercrest its first lead of the game, 9-8, knocking Manila starter Frankie Cowgill from the mound. Hunter Bryan came on in relief to snuff out the rally.

Manila bounced back in the bottom of the sixth when junior Tray Malone slapped a game tying homerun, setting up Shedd's seventh inning heroics. The Lions began the seventh when Jacob Britt struck out, but the third strike eluded the catcher, allowing Britt to scamper to first base safely. Sophomore Tracey Reinhart followed with a ringing double over Colt centerfielder Chris Predmore's head, putting runners at second and third with no outs. Rivercrest elected to walk Lion leadoff hitter Frankie Cowgill intentionally to load the bases, but the strategy backfired when Shedd came through with the game winning hit.

The Lions jumped on the Colts in the first inning, scoring three runs. Cowgill led off the game with a base hit and later scored Manila's first run on an error by Rivercrest catcher J.T. Pierce. Bryan blooped a single to centerfield to score Shedd, giving the Lions a 2-0 lead before senior Kyle Evans laced an RBI single up the middle for Manila's third run of the inning.

The Lions picked up two more runs in the bottom of the second when Britt and Cowgill smashed solo homers for a 5-0 Manila lead.

Rivercrest got their first run of the game on a solo homer by Predmore in the top of the third, but the Lions got the run back when Reinhart drilled a double in Manila's half of the third, scoring pinch runner Dillon Burrow.

Rivercrest cut the lead to 6-3 with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth, but the Lions answered again in the bottom of the inning, thanks to a two-run double off the bat of Shedd, giving Manila an 8-3 advantage.

Bryan picked up the win in relief, going an inning and two thirds, including pitching a scoreless seventh. Cowgill pitched five and a third innings, giving up six earned runs.

Manila (11-2, 8-1 3A-3) was led offensively by Cowgill, who finished with three hits on the game, including his second homer of the season. Shedd also had three hits and drove in three runs while Bryan finished 3-4 including a double. Reinhart had two doubles and scored twice while Britt and Malone also finished with two hits apiece, with both going yard. Evans had the other Manila hit, as the Lions recorded 16 knocks on the day, including six extra base hits.

Rivercrest (15-3, 8-1 3A-3) was led by Coffman who went 3-4 with four RBIs and a homerun, while Fleming, Predmore and Daniel Wright all had two hits apiece.

Manila took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning in Monday's loss to the Colts, but saw Rivercrest score twice to tie the game before pulling out the win with a run in the bottom of the ninth.

Rivercrest got three one-out singles in the bottom of the ninth, including Fleming's game winner. Fleming, Predmore, and Tyler Frans all finished with two hits apiece for the Colts.

Manila scored both of their runs in the fourth inning on a two-run double by Frankie Cowgill, who finished the day 3-5 at the plate. The Lions, who produced 10 hits on the day, got a pair of knocks from Jacob Britt while Tracey Reinhart, Hunter Bryan, Kyle Evans, Michael Shedd and Luke McLaughlin all had a hit apiece. Bryan took the loss in relief of starter Tray Malone. Malone pitched the first eight innings, striking out eight while walking five. The junior right-hander gave up two runs and eight hits on the day. Bryan pitched the ninth, allowing three hits and one run.

Manila improved to 12-2 with an 11-3 win over East Poinsett County Wednesday afternoon at Lepanto. Manila built a 6-3 lead after four innings and blew the game open, scoring five runs in the fifth.

Hunter Bryan pitched all seven innings to pick up the win. Bryan gave up two earned runs on five hits while striking out five and walking one.

Manila was led at the plate by Jacob Britt, who drilled a home run while going 3-4. Britt finished the day with three RBIs. Bryan also brought home three runners with a pair of doubles. Michael Shedd also laced a pair of doubles while driving in one run and scoring three times. Luke McLaughlin had two hits and a pair of RBIs while Tray Malone had two hits and scored a run. Frankie Cowgill and Kyle Evans both had base hits with Evans driving in a runner. The Lions finished with 14 hits on the afternoon.

Manila returns to action Monday afternoon, hosting Armorel in a 4:00 matchup. The Lions will also play a makeup game Tuesday at Hoxie. A Manila victory over the Mustangs would clinch at least a share of the 3A-3 conference championship and the number one seed in this week's district tournament, to be held April 17-20 at Piggott.