ELIJAH STEWART PITCH STRONG SIX INNINGS AS LIONS DEFEAT ST. JAMES , 4-1, AT FCA TOURNEY

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PRATTVILLE RALLY FOR THREE RUNS IN SIXTH INNING TO SNAP TWO GAME SKID

Elijah Stewart got his first start of the season Friday afternoon, March 8 in Paterson Field, and gave the Prattville Lions just what they needed to snap a two game losing streak.  Stewart went six innings, faced 24 batters, allowed five hits, struck out six and walked only one as Prattville defeated the St. James Trojans, 4-1.

Stewart’s jewel came as the Lions committed only one error and played excellent defense, making several outstanding catches in both outfield and infield.

Pearson Hall came in relief for Stewart in the seventh inning and faced only three hitters, albeit one hitter Matt Moody rapped a single into left field, but was quickly erased with a double play initiated by Hall.  Hall grabbed Kane Davenport's tapper back to the mound quickly flipped it to Dalton Yarnell at second base to force out Murray; Yarnell completed the double play with a toss to Shelby McVey at first base.

While the Lions continued to struggle at the plate the near-perfect fielding was giant relief for Martin Jackson and his staff.

Prattville got on the scoreboard in the bottom half of the second inning when Garrison Mathis led off with a single into centerfield.  Shelby McVey sacrificed Mathis to second base.  He then went to third base on a pass ball and scored when Doug Price rolled out to shortstop.

The Trojans knotted the game in the top of the fifth inning.  C. J .Duncan singled into left field to open the frame.  Murray sacrificed Duncan to second, where he later scored on Chase Ritter’s single to left field.

Earlier in the tilt Duncan had singled as the second hitter in the second inning.  He stole second base and went to third on a pass ball.  He then attempted to steal home, but Stewart alertly fired to Hayden White.  White tagged Duncan out with plenty of room to spare.

Duncan has a scholarship to Vanderbilt University to play football.

Prattville broke the game open in the sixth inning aided by a comedy of errors from the Trojans.  Ethan Lambdin got the rally started with a full count walk.  Chandler Mullins then attempted to move Lambdin over with a sacrifice bunt, but Trojan pitcher David Hubbard threw erratically to first base with the ball sailing almost into the stands, Lambdin scooting to third base and Mullins to second base.

Hall then hit a long fly ball to left field that plated Lambdin.  White rolled out to shortstop.  Dalton Yarnell then singled to left field moving Mullins to third base.  Hubbard uncorked a wild pitch; Mullins scored easily and Yarnell raced to second base.   Garrison hit a grounder to shortstop William Osley who rifled the ball over first baseman Jake Allen’s head, allowing Yarnell to score for a 4-1 Prattville lead.

Hall came into to pitch the seventh inning and retired the side, aided by the double play.  The double play was the second twin killing turn by the Lions.  Mathis and McVey turned one in the third inning.