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CARL JUNCTION, Mo. —
Tough times, as Carthage coach James Kinder pointed out after the game, never last, but tough people do.
Caleb Fierro, Carthage’s hard-hitting left-handed first baseman, collected five hits and drove in three runs to help the Merchants rally for a 9-7 extra-inning victory over Warrensburg Saturday in the American Legion Class AAA Zone III Tournament.
“I’m so proud of the kids because they never gave up,” Kinder said.
Fierro, who had six hits in the opening round Friday against Hillcrest, hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the 10th to score Seth Beckner from third base. Beckner, who started the Merchants’ winning rally with a one-out walk, showcased his speed by going first to third on Brian Poston’s single before Fierro came to the plate.
The Merchants added an insurance run when Ethan Wiggin scored Poston, who finished with two hits and had another taken away, with a sacrifice fly.
Reliever Jarret Garber worked five scoreless innings for the victory after replacing starter Mark Ryan with one on and nobody out in the fifth, and Tadd Wagner worked around a leadoff single in the bottom of the 10th for the save. He ended it by striking out Troy Sales and Austin Granger with Andrew St. Pierre on base.
“He doesn’t throw very hard, but he’s always around the (strike zone),” Kinder said, who named Wagner or Joe Allan today’s likely starter. “He came back several times after falling behind (in the count) and got some guys out.
“Brian also did an outstanding job protecting the plate,” he continued. “It’s not just the pitcher — it’s the pitcher and the catcher, and he worked awful hard back there. Those guys don’t get enough credit.”
Poston, with one on and one out in the bottom of the ninth, torpedoed a potential scoring threat when he threw out Warrensburg’s Jake Bryant attempting to steal second.
“That’s a huge out,” Kinder said.
Trailing by two (7-5), the Merchants, like so many times this postseason, put together a late surge against Warrensburg’s bullpen, which, after 2 2/3 scoreless innings, began to lead in the sixth.
The Merchants, who flushed a quality start down the drown by committing five errors to help Warrensburg erase a three-run deficit, scored once in the sixth before tying the game with a pair of runs in the ninth.
While Warrensburg’s bullpen stumbled, Garber and Wagner were lights out for the Merchants, who advanced to the tournament championship game at 1 p.m. today.
Tough times, as Carthage coach James Kinder pointed out after the game, never last, but tough people do.
Caleb Fierro, Carthage’s hard-hitting left-handed first baseman, collected five hits and drove in three runs to help the Merchants rally for a 9-7 extra-inning victory over Warrensburg Saturday in the American Legion Class AAA Zone III Tournament.
“I’m so proud of the kids because they never gave up,” Kinder said.
Fierro, who had six hits in the opening round Friday against Hillcrest, hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the 10th to score Seth Beckner from third base. Beckner, who started the Merchants’ winning rally with a one-out walk, showcased his speed by going first to third on Brian Poston’s single before Fierro came to the plate.
The Merchants added an insurance run when Ethan Wiggin scored Poston, who finished with two hits and had another taken away, with a sacrifice fly.
Reliever Jarret Garber worked five scoreless innings for the victory after replacing starter Mark Ryan with one on and nobody out in the fifth, and Tadd Wagner worked around a leadoff single in the bottom of the 10th for the save. He ended it by striking out Troy Sales and Austin Granger with Andrew St. Pierre on base.
“He doesn’t throw very hard, but he’s always around the (strike zone),” Kinder said, who named Wagner or Joe Allan today’s likely starter. “He came back several times after falling behind (in the count) and got some guys out.
“Brian also did an outstanding job protecting the plate,” he continued. “It’s not just the pitcher — it’s the pitcher and the catcher, and he worked awful hard back there. Those guys don’t get enough credit.”
Poston, with one on and one out in the bottom of the ninth, torpedoed a potential scoring threat when he threw out Warrensburg’s Jake Bryant attempting to steal second.
“That’s a huge out,” Kinder said.
Trailing by two (7-5), the Merchants, like so many times this postseason, put together a late surge against Warrensburg’s bullpen, which, after 2 2/3 scoreless innings, began to lead in the sixth.
The Merchants, who flushed a quality start down the drown by committing five errors to help Warrensburg erase a three-run deficit, scored once in the sixth before tying the game with a pair of runs in the ninth.
While Warrensburg’s bullpen stumbled, Garber and Wagner were lights out for the Merchants, who advanced to the tournament championship game at 1 p.m. today.
Although Carthage’s defensive effort was suspect at best, Warrensburg also committed five errors so, in essence, it was a push. Even so, center fielder Jim Bryant was immune to Warrensburg’s defensive struggles, making several rousing plays and taking away at least three runs.
“We hit balls hard right at people or (Warrensburg) made diving catches,” Kinder said. “They made some great, diving plays.”
Fierro, who has 11 hits in two tournament games, was one of three players to score two or more runs for the Merchants. With the win, Carthage, now a season-high 20-games over .500, clinched its second straight 30-win season.
To reach Cody Dyer, call 417-358-2191 or send e-mail to cdyer@carthagepress.com
