Spires rallies for victory over Elks

A late surge propelled Spires Construction past the Elks 11-5 in Dixie Youth Ozone (ages 11-12) baseball action on Tuesday at the Max Long Recreation Complex. The Elks had tied the score at 4-all with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning, only to see Spires put across six runs in the bottom of the frame.

"We played heads up ball and put the bat on the ball when we needed," said Spires coach Chuck Smalley.

Spires jumped out quickly, scoring a pair of runs in the first inning, as Cole Kilgo walked and Alex Colon reached on a base hit. Kilgo scored on a wild pitch and Everett Hurst knocked in Colon with an RBI triple.

The Elks took advantage of a couple of walks, wild pitches and a dropped line drive in the outfield to tie the game in the top of the second, as Gus Lawrence and Hunter Jolly touched home plate in the inning.

Spires regained the lead in the bottom of the second, as Nick Strey and Jace Lewis both scored after reaching base.

The Elks didn't back down, however, knotting the score when Jordan Austin singled and scored on a wild pitch and Dalton Baker scored on a balk. The Elks threatened to jump in front, but Hurst struck out a pair of hitters with runners on second and third.

"Our pitchers did the job on the mound," Smalley said.

Spires put the game out of reach in the bottom of the fourth, as Hurst started things off with a shot down right field that reached the fence and he wound up at third base. An RBI single by Brendan Doty put the first run across and Doty came around to score the second run of the frame.

Trent Lewis' RBI double scored Jace Lewis, who had walked, and a walk to Kilgo was followed by Colon's two-run double. An RBI single off the bat of Payton Smalley accounted for the final run of the inning.

Dahlin Stanton scored on Austin's RBI double in the top of the fifth and Doty scored in the bottom of the fifth for the final run of the game.

Spires pitchers were able to keep the Elks hitter off-balance through much of the game, as Smalley, Strey, Hurst and Doty combined for 15 strikeouts in the contest.

"The pitchers did a phenomenal job," coach Smalley said. "That's usually the difference between winning and losing in this league."

Spires Construction faces Pool Paradise and the Elks will battle Couture's Garden Center today at Max Long. Both games will begin at 5:45 p.m.