Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Curley Wolves Pounded by De Queen; Fall To Fordyce Same Week

Prescott found out why the De Queen Leopards at the top ranked class AA baseball team in the state.

The Leopards pitched a five-inning shutout against the Wolves Monday, April 13. This is the first time the potent Prescott bats have completely been silenced in 20 games. The last time was a 3-0 loss to Fouke April 21, 1997.

De Queen, however, showed its offensive spark by sending 13 runners around the bases during the game.

Al Formby also suffered his first loss in the game to go 7-1 on the year. Formby stayed in for four frames, surrendering nine runs on seven hits and three walks. He fanned four but faced 26.

Ben Jones finished up the game, going one inning. Jones gave up four runs on two hits, with two walks and one strikeout. He tangled with nine batters.

The 13-run loss was the worst in school history. The previous worst defeat was a 16-4 whipping at the hands of Nashville in 1995.

This was Prescott's second loss of the season, but it was followed by a 5-3 loss to Fordyce Wednesday, April 15.

The Leopards opened the game with a four-spot in the top of the first.

Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for De Queen, with a wild pitch scoring Martin. Ward followed with a bases clearing three-run shot.

From there, Formby was able to work his way out of the first.

Jim Mobbs kept the Wolves at bay in the bottom of the inning. Other than a Heath Ingram single, the Prescott bats were silent.

Two more scored for the Leopards in the second, starting with an error allowing Stewart to reach first.

This was followed by a single from Martin and another error to load the bases. An infield fly brought Stewart in, with Martin finishing the circuit on a wild pitch.

Jarod Yates was hit by a pitch to open Prescott's half of the second. He advanced when Justin Jernigan walked. Mobbs, though, settled down and fanned the next three batters.

Formby held the Leopards in check in the top of the third. The first two batters walked, but the next three went down in order.

Prescott's side was also retired in order as the bats were cold.

The fourth was another tough frame for the Wolves, as De Queen added three more to its tally. The inning also contained two more errors by Prescott.

Mobbs singled, advancing on Ward's single. Gibbs reached on an error to bring Mobbs in. Pearce grounded out to bring Ward across, before Tim Mobbs reached on the second error to allow Gibbs to score.

Al Johnston walked to start Prescott's fourth, but was nailed at second when Yates hit into a fielder's choice. Formby and Hammrick grounded out to end the threat.

Jones was tagged with a four-spot in his lone inning on the hill. He opened by hitting Stewart with a pitch and walking Martin.

J. Mobbs walked to pack the bags. Powell singled Stewart across to make it 10-0. Jones fanned ward and got Gibbs to hit a ground ball. But the grounder scored Martin. Pearce followed with a two-RBI single.

The game ended shortly thereafter as the Wolves sent four up and three were unable to do anything.

There were few highlights for Prescott in the game. Coach Steve Crow said one was Formby's work in the third.

With runners at the corner and no out, Formby held the Leopards in check, forcing a ground out and fanning the other batters.

Ingram had the only hit for Prescott, and hit the ball hard in his other at bats.