COLUMBIA, Tenn. — They may not have been determining the winner of the Independence Day Classic, but the Bryant Black Sox Senior American Legion team and the squad from Pontatoc, Miss., could've unofficially determined the outcome of a previous tournament.
If, that is, Pontatoc had stuck around.
The two teams were set to play a consolation game at the Classic on Saturday afternoon, but the Pontatoc team chose to return home rather that play the game. Ironically, earlier this season, the two teams were set to play for the championship of the Brooks Robinson-Lockeroom Twin Lakes Classic in Mountain Home only to have the final day of the tournament washed out by rain. Pontatoc was "named" the tournament win by virtue of the fewest runs allowed in their previous games. The Mississippi team had allowed one run fewer than the Black Sox.
Manager Craig Harrison counted the game as a forfeit so the Sox finish 2-2 in the Classic. Now 22-4, they return to action on Tuesday at Hot Springs.
