Eagles Blanked At LaPlata

Eagles Blanked At LaPlata

By David Sharp
   
LaPlata (10-1, ranked fifth in Missouri Baseball Class 1) scored six first inning runs and powered to a five inning 10-0 home win over Knox County. Cameron Morford singled leading off the third inning off Bulldog starter Jordan Smith. Parker Dixson matched with a leadoff fourth inning hit.
Knox County (3-10) loaded the bases during their fourth inning but could not take advantage. “LaPlata is going to be a tough out. Whoever knocks them out (of the Class 1 playoffs) is going to be pretty legit,” said Knox County coach Jesse Crawford.
“They came out and dropped six runs on us in the first inning. That kind of set the tone,” said Coach Crawford. “We made some defensive blunders. That was a tough way to go out, but playing tough teams like LaPlata is a good way to prepare for district play.”
Jake Heissler slammed a 1-2 Lance McMahon pitch for a two RBI hit keying the six run outburst. Anthony Hayes and Hayden Fouch earned LaPlata RBI’s. Travis Wheeler led off the second inning with a single. Chris Bunch followed with a Bulldog hit. Both men eventually scored for an 8-0 LaPlata lead after two innings.
Knox County got their leadoff man on base in four of the five innings. Brett Bryant walked leading off the KCHS second inning. Matthew McCarty lined into a double play. Brett Wilkerson drew a two out walk after Cameron Morford broke up any chance of a Jordan Smith no hitter. Both runners were left on base.
Brett Bryant reached on an error after Parker Dixson led off the fourth frame with a hit. The next two Eagles struck out looking. Cameron Morford walked, loading the sacks with two down. Jordan Smith fanned his third batter of the inning looking to close the scoring threat.
LaPlata scored two more runs in the third inning. Hayden Fouch doubled leading off the inning. Donnie Hansen was struck by a pitch. Travis Wheeler walked loading the bases. Chris Bunch stroked an RBI single for the 10-0 margin. Lance McMahon led off the fifth inning with a hit, but the Eagles failed to score.
LaPlata scored ten runs on eight hits. Jordan Smith struck out eight batters in four innings pitched for the victory. Hayden Fouch finished up on the mound. Taylor Wheeler and Chris Bunch had two Bulldog hits each.
Knox County was blanked on three hits. Lance McMahon went the distance on the hill with three strikeouts. The Eagles concluded their regular season at LaPlata.
The Eagles took on Milan on May 18 in the first round of district play.