By Staff
When it was time to try some new blood on the mound, the Brewton Rangers went with Youngblood – Grant Youngblood – and what transpired was a 4-inning pitching debut that led the Rangers to their first win of the year as the Brewton Little League 11-12 division opened Interleague play last Friday night.
The Rangers were one of three Brewton teams to win on the night as the Tigers beat the East Brewton Yankees 7-3 and the Rockies notched a win over the EB Cardinals, 13-5, while the Brewers suffered a 15-7 loss to the Flomaton Red Sox.
RANGERS 6, FLOMATON BRAVES 1
Youngblood, who had never before toed the mound, got the win with a one-hit gem that included six strikeouts and four walks. But that wasn’t the only spot on the field where Youngblood stood out. For the second time in three games, he started the game with a leadoff home run, a bomb he promptly deposited halfway up the hill behind Field C.
He got plenty of offensive support from Lane Clark and Christian Mancil – who had two hits apiece – while Jackson Deatherage and Landon Salter contributed a hit each. Drew Williamson pitched one inning in relief of Youngblood and did not yield a hit, while striking out one.
TIGERS 7, YANKEES 3
Just as the Rangers benefitted from a new pitcher, the Tigers fared well with one as well. Austin Holmes made his presence known right away, striking out the top of the order in succession to kick off a night in which he would finish with eight strikeouts while allowing only a pair of Yankee hits.
However, with the game still very much in doubt, the Tigers faced a bases-loaded, no outs threat in the fourth inning before 10-year-old Stokes Jennings entered the game and walked off the mound 13 pitches later after retiring the side without any damage done.
Duncan Brittain was the offensive hero for the winners, slapping a pair of two-run doubles. Ethan Bollenbacher – who continues to swing a hot bat – added another RBI hit, as did Jonathan Lucas and Holmes. Defensively, Bollenbacher, Lucas, Will Smith and Baylen Parker all contributed great plays to hold the Yankee offense at bay.