Driscoll’s game-winner lifts Alma by Pea Ridge
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
Three years to the day after winning their first game in three years, Alma coach Brian Fry got some clutch hitting when it counted most in the seventh inning.
Brayden Driscoll’s two-out, run-scoring single to left field scored Michael Taylor with the winning run as the Airedales rallied to beat Pea Ridge, 6-5, and even their record at 1-1.
On March 4, 2021, the Airedales defeated the Black Hawks, 2-1, to snap a 37-game losing streak.
In Monday’s win, the Airedales dug themselves an early 3-0 hole before scoring four times in the fourth inning. Taylor started the inning with a double, and Cash Wilson followed with an RBI single.
Sheppard Osborn reached on an error and Camden Curd followed with an RBI single to cut the lead to 3-2. Colby Kimmons beat out a bunt single to tie the game, and Branson Brogan’s sacrifice fly put Alma ahead 4-3.
“We were down 3-0 going into the bottom of the first,” Driscoll said. “We battled back in the fourth inning, moving some runners and doing a job.”
Pea Ridge (2-1) tied the game in the fifth and took a 5-4 lead in the seventh.
But the Airedales weren’t done.
Taylor opened the seventh with his third hit of the game. Wilson then looped a single to shallow center to move pinch-runner Carson Curd into scoring position. Osborn then laid down a perfect bunt to load the bases with nobody out.
But Pea Ridge pitcher Austin James got two quick outs before plunking Kimmons to force home the tying run. Driscoll then hit the very next pitch to left field to put the Airedales in the winners' circle for the first time.
“It means a lot to us,” Driscoll said. “We’re about to go play in Texas, and we’re about to start conference as well. It means a lot and doing what we’re supposed to do.”
Huntsville 3, Alma 2
SOFTBALL - The Alma Lady Airedales dropped their 16th straight decision dating to 2023 on Monday at Huntsville. This one hurt.
Alma pitchers Mackenzie Gwinn and Brooklyn Neighbors allowed three runs on just five hits as the Lady Airedales dropped a 3-2 decision in eight innings.
Alma (0-3) was scheduled to play at Clarksville on Tuesday.
“Right now we are trying to learn how to win,” first-year coach Dustin Bakenhus said. “Even more challenging, we are trying to learn how to win against good teams. We have to play good teams to prepare for the 5A-West. In our first two games against Booneville and Hackett, we faced teams that either won or were in the running for a state championship last year. Against Huntsville, we out-played them in every area - we just couldn’t get the big hit when we needed it to put the game away.”
Gwinn went three innings before leaving with an injury. She allowed no runs and just one hit. Neighbors went the rest of the way, allowing three runs and four hits.
Annie Davis, Julia Nutt, Cali Frazier, Gwinn, and Bella Pluurde each had singles. Rachel Brown added a double.
Benson sparkles at Ozark
TRACK - Alma’s seventh-grade boys track team competed at Ozark Monday.
Titus Benson had a big day for the Alma seventh-grade boys’ track team. He won the high jump, long jump, and the 110 hurdles and 300 intermediate hurdles.
In addition, he helped pace the 4X100 and 4X200 relay teams to a first-place finish as well.
Nate Risley won the triple jump (35-11) and was second in the 110 hurdles. He and Benson and teammates Trevor Hoover and Peyton Broadway were on the 4X100 relay team.
Risley, Hoover, Benson, and Konnor Gyrner took first in the 4x200.
Hoover won the 100 meters, and William Hamilton took first in the shot put and discus. Broadway was second in the triple jump, and Billy Burden was fifth in the long jump.