Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Curley Wolves Drop Finals Of District Tournament To DeQueen Leopards,

10-1; Pitchers Hold Other Teams In Action Prescott's Curley Wolves clawed their way to finals of the 7AA District Baseball Tournament last week in DeQueen.

The Wolves opened tourney action by clipping Junction City 6-4, then blanked Nashville 4-0 for a date with the host Leopards on May 2.

However, the Wolves were unable to overcome the home field advantage as DeQueen took the title with a 10-1 win. Prescott -- 6 Junction City -- 4

Ross Cowling went the distance for Prescott in the opening game of the tourney, facing 33 Dragons, giving up four runs on five hits with six walks and 10 Ks recorded in the contest.

The Wolves, 13-5 on the season and ranked 9th in AA play, were tabbed as the home team, and, therefore, went to bat first.

Other than a walk to Jimmy Stockton, the Wolves were retired as Al Johnston and Ben Jones fanned, while Montra Montgomery grounded out.

Heabulin singled for the Dragons, but was gunned down by Charlie Rockett when he attempted to steal second. Martindale walked and suffered the same fate as Heabulin when he tried to advance by theft. Jason Brantly was the first of Cowling's 10 strikeouts.

Barrett Yates went down swinging to open the second. Jerome Fulks was issued a free pass before Rockett was fanned. Jamie Williams got the first hit of the game as he singled, advancing Fulks to second.

Carlos Vanhook walked to load the bases, but this is how the inning ended as Johnston fanned.

Kennedy doubled for Junction City, but watched from second as his teammates were unable to solve the Cowling riddle.

Again, the Wolves left a man on as Stockton opened with a single, but stayed glued to first as the next three went down.

The two teams mirrored one another as Sherman singled for the Dragons, but was left as well.

It was four up and three down for the Wolves in the top of the fourth, as Rockett's walk broke up a perfect inning.

The Dragons broke the mirror in the bottom of the frame as they struck for two runs.

Jason Brantly started things off with a walk. Roshto was called out on strikes, while Kennedy flied out. Allen, however, reached on an error, which was followed by a wild pitch allowing Brantly to go home. Another wild pitch allowed Allen to score.

Justin Brantly singled, but was left when Daniels fanned.

Getting behind seemed to be the spark the Wolves needed as they cut the gap to 2-1 in the top of the fifth.

Johnston walked to give Prescott a runner. Stockton flied out and Jones was fanned to put the Wolves in a tough spot. Montgomery then walked and Yates belted a single to drive Johnston in. Fulks walked to load the bases again, but the bags were left packed as Rockett struck out.

Cowling gave up two walks in the bottom of the inning, but otherwise held the Dragons in check.

In the top of the sixth, the Wolves offense exploded, sending five runners around the bases.

Williams took one deep for a double to start the frame. C. Vanhook walked but was picked off when he was caught trying to reach second on a double steal. Johnston walked and Williams scored on a perfectly executed suicide squeeze by Stockton.

Jones walked to give Prescott two runners. Johnston cut this number in half by scoring on a wild pitch.

Montgomery replaced Johnston on the bases as he was issued a walk. A wild pitch allowed Stockton to cross the plate.

Yates then laid down the second suicide squeeze of the frame, which drove Jones in.

Fulks reached first by way of a four balls, while Montgomery left the bases by scoring on the third wild pitch of the frame. Rockett flied out to end the inning.

An error, and a wild pitch resulted in Junction City scoring its third run of the game, to cut the score to 6-3.

In the seventh, the Wolves went down in order, all three batters striking out.

The Dragons scored their final run of the game on a walk and two errors.

Entering the game, the Dragons had been the second seed in the tourney. They had a bye to the second round game against the Wolves. Prescott -- 4 Nashville -- 0

Earlier in the season, the pumpkinheads of Nashville beat Prescott 10-3 in league play.

In the district tourney, however, the Wolves earned a measure of revenge as they made pumpkin pie out of the Scrappers 4-0.

Yates earned his eighth win of the year, against two losses, as he went seven full frames for the Wolves.

He faced 28 batters, gave up three hits, with one walk and nine strikeouts.

Again, the Wolves were the visitors and were at bat first. Prescott took advantage of this with two runs in the frame.

Johnston went down swinging before Stockton walked. Jones also walked, as did Montgomery.

With the bases loaded, Yates grounded to third, forcing Stockton at home. However, the Scrapper catcher tried to nail Yates for a twin-killing, but his throw went awry.

The errant toss allowed Jones and Montgomery to score easily. Yates was left when Fulks fanned.

Yates issued his only walk in the bottom of the frame, and gave up one of Nashville's three hits.

The next three batters, though, were retired in order for the third seeded team in the tourney.

Neither team was able to do much in the second or third innings, as the pitchers for both squads held their foes in check.

In the fourth, though, the Wolves added an insurance run to their lead.

Fulks started with a single. Rockett hit into what appeared to be a force play, but Fulks managed to reach second safely.

C. Vanhook replaced Rockett at first. Williams then flied out and Cowling reached on a fielder's choice. This time, Fulks wasn't as fortunate and was tagged at third.

Johnston walked to load the bags for Prescott. Vanhook scored when Stockton dropped in a single. Cowling ended the inning by being cut down trying to score on the hit as well.

Yates was in total command as he retired Nashville in order.

The Wolves thought another run may be in order to make sure Nashville didn't sneak up on them.

Jones opened the fifth by striking out. Montgomery walked and went to second on a passed ball. A balk sent him to third with one down.

Yates followed with a sacrifice fly to bring Montgomery in. Another fly ball ended Prescott's inning.

It was three and three for Nashville in the bottom of the frame, as two batters were fanned and one grounded out.

The Wolves also went down in order in the top of the sixth, but had the advantage of a 4-0 lead at the time.

Nashville got a baserunner in its half of the inning, but a K, fly out and fielder's choice left the Scrappers scoreless.

Prescott was ready for the finals as the Wolves were retired in order in the top of the seventh, and cut the Scrappers to shreds in the bott