Anthony Eck gave up only four runs in five innings, but Carthage’s offense struggled as El Dorado Springs hung on to a 6-4 win on Monday at Carl Lewton Stadium.
   

“Give (El Dorado Springs) credit,” said head coach Scott Quinly. “They showed up and made some plays. We didn’t put them in position where they had to make a lot of plays, that was kind of frustrating.”
   

Eck, a senior right-hander, made his first start of the season, yielding only five hits and one walk. Eck, however, gave up a two-out, two-run home run to Cotey Ketchum in the top of the fourth, giving the Bulldogs a 4-1 lead.
   

Bulldogs’ starter Trevor Quinlan, a left-hander, cruised for five innings after allowing a run in the bottom of the first.
   

Eck, who went 2-for-4 with two singles, led off the Tigers’ first with a single, advancing to third thanks to a two-base error. Eck scored to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead.
   

It would be Carthage’s last.
   

The Bulldogs scored two runs in the second before Ketchum hit his long ball in the fourth. Quinlan settled down after the first, shutting down Carthage for five innings as the Tigers scuffled at the plate, swinging at numerous first pitches and had trouble getting on top of Quinlan’s mid to upper 60’s fastball.
   

“For five innings, we only hit two ground balls,” Quinly said. “We preach all the time baseball is a game if you hit fly balls (the defense) just has to catch it. If you hit (the ball) on the ground (the defense) has to field it, throw it and catch it again.
   

“Our philosophy is hitting ground balls and making (the defense) make plays ... we didn’t do that today.”
   

Eck was lifted after the fifth in favor of sophomore Joe Allan, who retired the first two batters he faced in the top of the sixth. Allan, however, appeared rattled after the Bulldogs extended the inning and scored two runs, but settled down in the seventh.
   

“Both of our pitchers did a good job,” Quinly said. “We challenged (Ketchum), who was (the Bulldogs) nine-hole hitter. We threw him a fastball and he turned on it and hit it out of the ballpark.
   

“Codi Garber, our catcher, did one of the best jobs I’ve seen as a leader and taking care of our pitchers. He has come a long way.”
   

Carthage finally ignited its offense in the bottom of the seventh. Quinlan allowed consecutive hits to Clint Spencer and Eck to begin the inning. Dylan Samuleson worked a free pass to load the bases for Stephen Poston. Poston grounded into a fielder’s choice, allowing Spencer to score. A throwing error brought Eck around to score, cutting the lead to three, 6-3.
   

Dalton Cossey followed with a one-out double off of the left-field wall, scoring Poston to cut the lead to two runs. Cossey, trying to stretch the extra-base hit into a triple, was called out at third to the shock of Quinly and the Tigers for the second out.
   

“I killed a rally,” Quinly admitted. “It was one of those situations where I was excited. I told the kids I’ll take the blame for that one.”
   

Garber flew out to center for the final out.
   

Quinlan went the distance to earn the win, allowing seven hits and three earned runs. Eck was the games’ tough loser.
   

“It was a very frustrating day for hitters,” Quinly added. “We didn’t make very good adjustments.”
   

Carthage’s junior varsity crushed El Dorado Springs in the nightcap 18-1 on Monday.
   

 Danny Welch went the distance on the mound, tossing five innings.
   

The Tigers travel to Carl Junction at 4:30 p.m. today. Kyle Wicklund is the probable starter.