News-Times Staff
SMACKOVER - Dalton Koch made a sizable imprint on the 3A State Tournament Friday, as the senior belted a pair of home runs and drove in six runs to lead Harding Academy past Clinton 15-6 in the quarterfinals.
The win sends the Wildcats into today’s semifinals against the winner between Greenland and Mayflower, which was ongoing at our deadline.
Koch drilled a three-run homer in the fourth before adding a two-run shot in the seventh.
Peydon Harlow also homered, hitting a two-run blast in the third.
The senior was also the winning pitcher, allowing just two runs over six innings of work. He struck out six.
Clinton did not go down without a fight, as the Yellowjackets scored four runs in the seventh with Bryce Dodd and Aaron Hogue delivering RBI doubles in the frame.
HORATIO 12,
CHARLESTON 6
Wade Beasley and Garet Wilson homered for the Lions, who pulled away methodically before scoring four runs in the sixth.
Beasley, who drove in three runs, drilled a two-run homer in the third before adding an RBI double in the fifth. He went 2-for-3 with a pair of walks in the win.
Wilson hit a solo shot to start the fourth, and he had an RBI double as part of the Lions’ uprising in the seventh.
Charleston fought back with three runs in the seventh with Brayden Ross driving in a pair of runs with a single.
Brett Ward had an RBI single in the fifth and Kaden Benge had an RBI triple in the third for the Tigers.
GLEN ROSE 5,
CORNING 2
The Beavers scored five runs in the third and Adam Day made it stand up, allowing two runs over six-plus innings to pick up the win. He struck out four.
Trey McKim had an RBI single and Logan Taylor chipped in with an RBI double as part of Glen Rose’s five-run third.
Clint Hovis had an RBI single in the seventh for Corning.
Glen Rose will take on Horatio at noon today in the first semifinal.