LITTLE ROCK — The Bryant Blue League All-Stars erupted for 12 runs in the third inning to expand[more] the 7-0 lead they’d already established on the way to a 19-7 run-rule win over Little Rock Junior Deputy at the 12-and-under (50/70) State Tournament Saturday.
Bryant had advanced to play Junior Deputy after they won by forfeit over Jacksonville on Friday. They are set to take on Lakewood in a winners bracket game on Sunday.
The Blue League 12’s playing on the 50/70 field are managed by Bill Kyzer. Team members are Logan Chambers, Luke Curtis, Brooks Ellis, Logan Grant, Christian Harp, Brandon Hoover, Preston Kyzer, Dylan McKinney, Grayson Prince, Matthew Sandidge, Scott Schmidt, Jacob Stroud.
Chambers pitched two shutout innings while Bryant’s Stars built the 7-0 lead. After the 12-run outburst in the third, he surrendered a pair of runs and gave way to Grant, who got out of that inning but ran into some trouble in the fourth. Schmidt took over on the mound and closed out the win.
Bryant took a 3-0 lead in the first. Sandidge and Prince started the inning with singles. With one out, a base hit by McKinney loaded the bases. Schmidt picked up an RBI when he grounded into a force at second then Kyzer and Chambers came through with RBI singles.
In the second, Stroud and Sandidge cracked base hits and Prince beat out a bunt for a hit to load the bases. Ellis was hit by a pitch to force in a run then McKinney drilled a double to right, driving in two more. A sacrifice fly by Kyzer made it a four-run inning.
The third-inning began with a one-out single by Stroud. Sandidge followed with the third of his four hits, a two-run homer to right-center. A pitch later, Prinice went yard. Ellis singled then McKinney unloaded on a 2-1 pitch for the third homer of the inning.
Schmidt revved it up again with a single. Hoover reached on an error and, with two down, Curtis drew a walk to load the bases for Stroud. Two runs scored on Stroud’s double. He followed Curtis home on a base hit by Sandidge. Prince singled and Ellis capped off the blitz with a two-run double. He scored moments later on a wild pitch.
