From Staff Reports
July 20, 2008 11:47 pm
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The last team standing fell Sunday.
The Irving All-Stars scored the game-winning run in the seventh inning to defeat the Corsicana Blue All-Stars, 10-9 in the Pony League Regional championship game in Rowlett.
Tied 9-9 in the bottom of the seventh, the Blue All-Stars walked the first two Irving batters.
An intentional walk followed to set up the force out at home plate.
With the bases loaded and one out, a fielding error allowed Irving to bring in the final run needed to win the championship and advance.
“They never quit,” Blue All-Stars coach Rusty Hitt said. “They fought and hung in there, but we just had a few break downs defensively that cost us the game.
“I am proud of how they played, we just came up a little short.”
Six errors committed in the game for the Blue All-Stars accounted for eight unearned Irving runs.
The Blue All-Stars were the first to get things started, scoring two runs in the top of the second inning.
Irving responded to tie the game with two of it’s own in the bottom of the inning.
A run in the third put Corsicana back on top, but the Blue All-Stars allowed four unearned runs in the fourth to give Irving it’s first lead of the game.
Down 6-3, Corsicana kept it close scoring two runs in the fifth.
Irving widened the margin with three runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Trailing 9-5 in the top of the seventh with the bases loaded, Caleb Gunnels came through with a clutch three-RBI triple. Gunnels was quickly brought home himself to tie the game headed to the bottom of the inning.
Gunnels pitched five innings while Hunter Denbow and Karsen Minniear each threw one, combining to allow eight hits and two earned runs.
“It’s frustrating because we felt like we were the better team,” Hitt said. “We beat this team in the sectionals 7-1, but we just didn’t get it done today.”
Blake Whisenant had a double and home run for Corsicana, with Trace Shirley connecting for two doubles and scoring twice, Karsen Minniear had three hits, two runs and an RBI and Aaron Rainey picked up a triple, two runs scored and an RBI.
“I am very proud of these boys,” Hitt said. “They are a very talented group that never gave up.
“It says a lot about the quality of ball players we have in our community to have two Corsicana teams finish in the top three in regionals.”
The Blue All-Stars defeated the Corsicana Gold All-Stars, 11-10 Saturday to advance to the championship game.
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