PAMPA, Texas — After spotting the Plainview, Texas All-Stars a couple of runs in the top of the[more] first, the Bryant All-Stars plated seven runs in the bottom of the first and it was only the beginning. Bryant, Arkansas' South State champion, went on to 17-2 to open play in the Cal Ripken 10-and-under Southwest Regional Tournament on Friday.
Bryant advanced to the second round and will play again on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
The team, coached by Greg Riggs, is Aiden Adams, Kannon Allison, Tyler Bates, Clay Curtis, River Gregory, Will Hathcote, Cameron McDonald, Trey Miller, Justin Orender, Ryan Riggs, Austin Schroeder, Blaine Sears, Brandon Thomisee and Josh Turner.
A walk, two errors and a single produced Plainview’s unearned runs in the top of the first against Adams, the Bryant starter. After that, however, Adams retired six of the last seven batters he faced before handing the pitching duties to Turner in the top of the fourth. He set Plainview down in order, fanning two.
A pair of errors helped Bryant fuel its seven-run uprising. The first allowed Schroeder to get to third when his single to left was misplayed. McDonald singled him in. Orender singled up the middle and, after a passed ball, moved them to second and third, Turner reached on an error as McDonald scored.
A walk to Sears loaded the bases and, with one out, Hathcote drilled a two-run single to left to give Bryant the lead. Adams followed with a rip to deep right-center for a triple, which drove in two more runs. He would score on a passed ball as Schroeder drew a walk.
A free pass to Orender started the second inning for Bryant. Turner’s drive to right was misplayed and Bryant had runners at second and third. With one out, Riggs placed a squeeze bunt as Orender raced home. Turner scored on an error that allowed Hathcote to reach.
Already up 9-2, Bryant nearly doubled its run total in the bottom of the third. The blitz began with Curtis reaching on an error. He stole second and, after Schroeder walked, McDonald reached on a miscue as Curtis and Schroeder scored.
Orender drew a walk and a passed ball got McDonald home as Orender took second. With two down, Allison drew a free pass and another errant pitch put runners at second and third for Hathcote who singled them both home.
Bates kept the inning going when he was struck by the very next delivery. Miller walked and so did Schroeder, loading the bases for Gregory who delivered a two-run double to cap off the scoring.
