Lake Hamilton out-hit the visiting El Dorado Wildcats Tuesday, but a big fourth inning spelled doom for the Wolves as they fell, 10-6, at Lake Hamilton field.
The Wolves (5-7, 2-3 5A South) put up seven hits to six by El Dorado (9-6, 2-2), but they could not overcome a six-run fourth inning by the Wildcats.
"El Dorado outplayed us," said Lake Hamilton head coach Mac Hurley. "We had one big inning and gave them six. We can't do that in this conference and expect to win. We have to limit the big innings and mistakes. (Spencer) Gracie pitched well, (Garrett) Lynch came in and pitched well, too."
After allowing two runs on a single by El Dorado center fielder Jared Rhodes in the top half of the first inning, the Wolves responded with two of their own. Following a sacrifice bunt by Ryan Fields that placed two runners in scoring position, Lynch scored on a groundout by Weston Dobyns before Carson Harris crossed the plate on a wild pitch.
Neither team scored again until the fourth when the Wildcats took an 8-2 lead that they never relinquished off five walks and a hit batsman.
Lake Hamilton attempted to rally in the bottom half of the inning with a Gracie single plating Fields. With the bases loaded, Braden Qualls was walked to send Dobyns home and pull within 8-4.
El Dorado pushed back out to a six-run lead in the top of the sixth, but the Wolves added two in the bottom of the inning. After back-to-back singles by Jace Robbins and Gracie, Conner Cheek plated Robbins on a groundout to second base.
Qualls racked up his second RBI of the night on a single to center field, sending Cameron Hartness across the plate to cut the deficit down to three, 9-6. The Wildcats added an insurance run in the top of the seventh before the Wolves were sent back in order to end the game.
Gracie started on the hill for the Wolves and lasted 3 1/3 innings, giving up five earned runs off four hits and four walks while striking out two en route to taking the loss. Gracie led the Wolves offensively with two hits and one RBI.
Lynch gave up two earned runs off one hit and seven walks while striking out five in 3 2/3 innings of work. Qualls collected two RBI off one hit, and Hartness and Robbins each stole a base.
Picking up the win for El Dorado, freshman pitcher Landen Rainwater gave up four runs off two hits and a walk while striking out four in three innings. Senior Jacob Boshears relieved Rainwater, taking two runs off five hits and two walks while striking out five.
The Wolves will travel to Texarkana Friday before returning home to face Benton next week.
Sports on 04/04/2019