By By BRUCE HIXON Sports Editor
With two out, the gain appeared to be minimal. Instead it proved to be decisive.
A throwing error on Bobby Freeman's successful steal of third base lifted the W.S. Neal Blue Eagles to a 3-2, 10-inning win over Straughn in Friday's second game of a doubleheader.
Freeman used his legs to beat out a bunt single and went to second on an error on a pickoff attempt
W.S. Neal (3-4) won the game despite striking out 21 times at the plate.
Whitney Qualls went all 10 innings on the mound for W.S. Neal to get the win. Qualls whiffed 14 Straughn hitters and walked just one, as he scattered nine hits.
While the second game will be used for tibebreakers in Class 3A Area 1, Straughn won the season Area counter 3-2 in the opener.
Two of Straughn's three runs were unearned as the result of four W.S. Neal errors.
Both W.S. Neal runs were also unearned. Bobby Freeman, who had reached on a fielder's choice, scored to give W.S. Neal a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Daniel Hodge walked and later scored on an error in the third inning that gave W.S. Neal a 2-1 lead.
Straughn overcame that 2-1 deficit with the tying run in the fourth inning and the go-ahead run in the fifth off Blue Eagle starter and loser Brandon Douglas.
Game one
Straughn 001 110 0 – 3 6 4
W.S. Neal 011 000 0 – 2 5 4
Game two
Straughn 101 000 000 0 – 2 9 3
WSN 101 000 000 1 – 3 7 1