GIVING IT ALL THEY’VE GOT: Covington County All-Star fall in regional opener
Published 12:05 am Saturday, July 21, 2018
- Parker Spears fires in a pitch. Josh Dutton/Star-News
The Covington County 13-15 All-Stars put up a strong fight, but fell 13-0 to Sumerall in the opening round of the Babe Ruth Southwest Regional tournament Friday night in Straughn.
In the top of the first inning, County pitcher Parker Spears started strong and got the first batter of the game to ground out to Cal Ashberry at first base.
The next Sumerall batter poked a ball back up the middle for a single for the game’s first baserunner.
Spears then got the next batter to pop out to Bryant Harper at shortstop.
Sumerall then caught a break with an error that allowed the first run of the game to score.
After walking the next batter, Spears picked up a strikeout to end the frame.
In the bottom of the first inning, Jerad Hawkins dropped down a nice bunt, but the Sumerall pitcher was there to make the play for the first out of the frame.
The Sumerall pitcher then struck out the next two batters to end the inning.
Spears ran into a little trouble in the top of the second inning as four-straight walks allowed Sumeral to go on top 2-0.
Judd Fuqua came in to pitch for Covington County and he got the first batter he faced to line out to Harper at shortstop.
From his knees, Harper fired the ball to third for a double play.
Fuqua then got a strike out to end the frame.
After sitting down the County All-Stars in order in the bottom of the second inning, Sumerall broke the game wide open and went on top 10-0.
The County All-Stars walked six batters, hit one and gave up two hits in the frame.
In the bottom of the third inning, Braxton Lee drew a walk, but was then picked off first.
Lee was the only Covington County player to reach base safely.
The Covington County All-Stars will face Crossett, Ark., at noon today in an elimination game.