Southern Sports & Travel, By Darron Thomas
The Simpson Cougars advanced to the North State finals with an 8-6 win over Indianola yesterday in Mendenhall to close out the series 2-0. Austin Herrington pitched a complete game including nine strikeouts while scattering seven hits to improve to 4-3 for the #4 ranked Cougars. With the series win Simpson advances to take on District 3AA foe Hillcrest in the best of three series beginning next Tuesday at Hillcrest.
(Above) Simpson freshman Walt Prince with a home run trot
Simpson struck for three runs in their half of the 2nd inning when freshman Walt Prince sent a three run homer 317 feet off of Indianola starter Taylor Marlow that scored Hunter Thompson and Brandon Johnston.
Indianola answered in the top of the 3rd inning as Zach Whitfield reached base on a single to right field. Joel Moor’s comebacker to pitcher Austin Herrington resulted in a throwing error to 1st base which allowed Whitfield and Moor to advance to 3rd and 2nd base. Matthew Shamoun then delivered a one out double to center field scoring Whitfield. Tyler Johnson then picked up an RBI with a fielder’s choice that scored Moor from 3rd base to trim the deficit to 3-2. Another fielding error cost Simpson allowing Dalton Deloach to reach base safely and scoring Shamoun to tie the game at 3-3. Indianola took the lead at 4-3 on a Thomas Moore stand up double to score Deloach from 1st base.
(Above) Simpson's Hunter Thompson (#10) holds Dalton Deloach of Indianola on at first base
That would be Indianola’s last lead of the game as Simpson added three runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Andy Maddox scored form 3rd base on a passed ball and Brandon Johnston’s one out triple to deep center scored Michael Kennedy and Hunter Thompson to put the Cougars on top 6-4.
Simpson added two insurance runs in the 4th inning when Marc McMillian’s fly out to deep left field scored Justin Taylor from 3rd base and Cade Eiland’s stand up double
scored Cory Herrington to give the Cougars a four run cushion at 8-4.
Indianola picked up a run in the top of the 6th inning on a perfectly executed hit and run from Robert Wright that scored Dalton Deloach from 3rd base. The Colonels closed the gap to 8-6 in their half of the 7th inning when Tyler Johnson’s single scored Matthew Shamoun.
After Indianola’s four run 3rd inning Simpson starter Austin Herrington (Photo below) retired 12 of the last 16 Colonel hitters he faced to earn the win. Sophomore Hunter Thompson and junior Michael Kennedy each had two singles for the Cougars (17-6) and freshman Walt Prince had a three run homer.
Taylor Marlow took the loss for Indianola. The sophomore went the distance giving up eight hits, walking two and striking out five. Matthew Shamoun and Thomas Moore each had a double and a single to lead the Colonels who end their season at 18-13.
Post game comments:
Simpson head coach Britt Hederman
“Anytime you can finish a series early you don’t have to get deep into your pitching and it obviously helps.”
“We feel good….we’re blessed to have a group of kids who really work hard everyday. They set their sights on something and everyday they work harder and harder.”
“Austin Herrington is a bulldog…he competes and he locates. He has battled for us all year long and I’m proud of his efforts today.”
(Above) Simpson freshman Walt Prince with a home run trotSimpson struck for three runs in their half of the 2nd inning when freshman Walt Prince sent a three run homer 317 feet off of Indianola starter Taylor Marlow that scored Hunter Thompson and Brandon Johnston.
Indianola answered in the top of the 3rd inning as Zach Whitfield reached base on a single to right field. Joel Moor’s comebacker to pitcher Austin Herrington resulted in a throwing error to 1st base which allowed Whitfield and Moor to advance to 3rd and 2nd base. Matthew Shamoun then delivered a one out double to center field scoring Whitfield. Tyler Johnson then picked up an RBI with a fielder’s choice that scored Moor from 3rd base to trim the deficit to 3-2. Another fielding error cost Simpson allowing Dalton Deloach to reach base safely and scoring Shamoun to tie the game at 3-3. Indianola took the lead at 4-3 on a Thomas Moore stand up double to score Deloach from 1st base.
(Above) Simpson's Hunter Thompson (#10) holds Dalton Deloach of Indianola on at first baseThat would be Indianola’s last lead of the game as Simpson added three runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Andy Maddox scored form 3rd base on a passed ball and Brandon Johnston’s one out triple to deep center scored Michael Kennedy and Hunter Thompson to put the Cougars on top 6-4.
Simpson added two insurance runs in the 4th inning when Marc McMillian’s fly out to deep left field scored Justin Taylor from 3rd base and Cade Eiland’s stand up double
scored Cory Herrington to give the Cougars a four run cushion at 8-4.Indianola picked up a run in the top of the 6th inning on a perfectly executed hit and run from Robert Wright that scored Dalton Deloach from 3rd base. The Colonels closed the gap to 8-6 in their half of the 7th inning when Tyler Johnson’s single scored Matthew Shamoun.
After Indianola’s four run 3rd inning Simpson starter Austin Herrington (Photo below) retired 12 of the last 16 Colonel hitters he faced to earn the win. Sophomore Hunter Thompson and junior Michael Kennedy each had two singles for the Cougars (17-6) and freshman Walt Prince had a three run homer.
Taylor Marlow took the loss for Indianola. The sophomore went the distance giving up eight hits, walking two and striking out five. Matthew Shamoun and Thomas Moore each had a double and a single to lead the Colonels who end their season at 18-13.
Post game comments:
Simpson head coach Britt Hederman
“Anytime you can finish a series early you don’t have to get deep into your pitching and it obviously helps.”
“We feel good….we’re blessed to have a group of kids who really work hard everyday. They set their sights on something and everyday they work harder and harder.”
“Austin Herrington is a bulldog…he competes and he locates. He has battled for us all year long and I’m proud of his efforts today.”
