Alex Smith Walk-Off Bolsters Solid Performance from Dyer
Clarksville, Ark.-With the winning run on third, and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Alex Smith prevented the Eagles from going to extra innings with a high chopper to the shortstop for the game-winning hit and a 7-6 victory. Working a 2-2 count against a nervous Tanner Branneky, who allowed runners to advance twice in the ninth by wild pitch, Smith's hit pushed pinch runner Jordan Jones across the plate for the seventh run, and an Eagles series win against Westminster (1-2) in dramatic walk-off fashion.
The Eagles (4-3) run support bolstered a solid start from Luke Dyer, who struck out six and allowed five earned runs over seven innings. The Eagles offense started in the first, with an RBI single to left-center field by Justin Crider allowing Dakota Ebarb to score. Andrew Beck scored shortly after, seizing the chance to run home after a passed ball by Westminster catcher Nolan Bax.
Notable for Westminster was Nick Cessna, who homered over the high left field wall twice in the series, but luckily for the Eagles, only launched a solo shot in the second inning to bring the score to 2-1. The Eagles answered in the bottom of the third, with Patrick Clifford driving in Beck and Ebarb on an RBI double.
By Ryan West
Student Assistant for Sports Information
