Big inning carries Lions to victory
April 10, 2011

By David Claybourn
Herald-Banner Sports Editor

Held to just two runs in their previous 15 innings, the Greenville Lions exploded for nine runs in the sixth to claim a 10-5 non-district baseball victory over Little Elm on Saturday.

"That's what we've been looking for all year," said Lions coach Cody Salyers. "Today it was actually a freshman that stepped up in a big situation. That's what we've needed all year. Someone to step up..."

Freshman Chris Hazlett, recently promoted from the junior varsity, got the big inning started with a two-run double.

Chase Wofford followed with a bases-loaded triple to drive in three more runs.

Zak Edgerton also drove in a run with a single in that inning, while Jeff Prigmore, Michael Riskey and then Hazlett again also had key hits.

The Lions finished with 14 hits including a solo homer by Miguel Saavedra in the fifth inning. Saavedra cleared the 375-foot sign in centerfield for his fifth homer of the season.

Riskey led the Lions with three hits, while Justin Koger, Wofford, Prigmore and Hazlett all finished with two hits.

Andy Whorton, who relieved starter Thomas Trower, picked up the win by holding Little Elm scoreless for 4 1/3 innings. The Greenville lefty allowed only two hits and one walk while striking out six.

Brandon Dudley, Little Elm's starting pitcher, ripped a two-run homer to left field in the first inning.

Joseph Ocasio singled in two runs in the second off Trower, who was making his first appearance on the mound after undergoing shoulder surgery in November.

Salyers was pleased with a victory over a Little Elm team that is now 15-12 for the season and is hoping the momentum carries over to Monday night's District 13-4A game at Mount Pleasant.

"They're a good team in a good district," he said.

Non-district baseball

Little Elm 2 2 0 0 0 0 1 --5 8 1

Greenville 0 0 0 0 1 9 x --10 14 1

WP: Andy Whorton, 2 hits, 0 run, 1 BB, 6 Ks in 4 1/3 IP; relieved by Miguel Saavedra, 2 hits, 1 run, 1 ER, 0 BBs, 2 Ks in 1 IP; starter, Thomas Trower, 4 hits, 4 runs, 4 ERs, 1 BB, 0 Ks in 2 IP.

LP: Phillip Akers, 12 hits, 10 runs, 10 ERs, 1 BB, 4 Ks in 2 IP; in relief of Brandon Dudley, 2 hits, 0 runs, 4 BBs, 1 K in 4 IP.

Leading hitters

LE: Joseph Ocasio 2-2, 3B, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Austin Krajnak 1-3, Brandon Dudley 1-4, HR, 2 RBIs; Tommy Royal 1-1, 2B; Ryan Todd 1-3, 2B; Alan Arambula 1-3, Wren Petty 1-1.

G: Michael Riskey 3-4, 1 run, 3 RBIs; Justin Koger 2-5, Miguel Saavedra 1-1, HR, 2 runs; Chase Wofford 2-3, 2B, 3B, 3 RBIs; Zak Edgerton 1-1, 1 RBI; Jeff Prigmore 2-4, 2 runs, Hayden Stuart 1-3, Chris Hazlett 2-2, 2 2Bs, 3 RBIs.

Records: LE 15-12, GHS 8-12-1.

Next game: Greenville at Mount Pleasant, 7:30 p.m. Monday.