Choctaws rally to advance in district tournament, ends Dyersburg’s season

 

Jason Peevyhouse

Editor, JP Productions Sports

Trailing by one with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, Dyer County was able to get a big hit from senior Jake Stanley as the Choctaws advanced in the District 13-3A Tournament on Saturday with a 5-4 win over Dyersburg at Crockett County High School in Alamo.

The Game was tied at 3-3 going into the top of the sixth inning. Pinch hitter Aiden Chandler was hit by a pitch then Evan Thompson bunted his way on with a single. A flyout followed then Alex Page grounded into a fielder’s choice to give the Trojans runners at first and third with two outs. Junior Will Leonard followed with a long double to right to give the black and gold the lead with runners at second and third. After Ryan Wesson was hit by a pitch, Dyer County was able to get a flyout to end the threat but trailed 4-3 with six outs left.

Dyersburg starter JP Noblin was able to get the leadoff batter with a strikeout but Landon Daniels singled to left. A groundout followed as Daniels advanced to second with two outs. The Trojans intentionally walked Talon Messer but Stanley made them pay singling to center to score two runs and put the Choctaws back on top. Dyersburg was able to get out of the inning when Stanley was caught advancing to third after Page’s throw from behind the plate sailed into centerfield only to have Ty Seaton throw out the Choctaw runner at third.

After all the excitement in the sixth, Dyer County was able to retire the Trojans in order in the seventh to secure the win and advance.

The loss ends Dyersburg’s season with a record of 21-10-1.

Dyer County scored in the bottom of the first inning when Seth Headtke reached on an error that scored a run and put the Choctaws on top 1-0 after one inning.

The Choctaws tacked on two runs in the bottom of the fourth as Easton Ozment reached on an error then scored on a Landon Todd groundout. Later in the inning, Stanley drew a bases-loaded walk to plate a run and put Dyer County on top 3-0 after four innings.

Dyersburg had its big inning in the top of the fifth. Thompson was hit by a pitch then Noblin singled before Page was walked intentionally to load the bases with no one out. Leonard singled in a run then Wesson drew a bases-loaded walk to cut the Dyer County lead to one. Though the Choctaws got Brett Horner to ground into a double play, the Trojans scored in the process to tie the game at 3-3 after four and a half frames.

Dyer County picked up the win with singles from six different Choctaws as Stanley drove in three of the orange and white’s five runs.

Messer picked up the win in relief for the Choctaws, pitching the final two innings while holding Dyersburg to one hit and striking out one.

Leonard had a double and a single to lead the way for the Trojans while driving in two.

Noblin took the loss, allowing five runs (two earned) on six hits with four strikeouts in 5.2 innings.

Dyer County will take on South Gibson on Monday evening at 4:30 p.m. in the District 13-3A Consolation Bracket Final for the right to face hosting Crockett County in the district championship game.

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