Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Rams Edge Devils 12-11

After falling behind 7-3 to Hot Springs Lakeside, Gurdon's Go-Devil baseball team rallied to tie the contest.

However, the Devils were unable to pull a win out of the bag as the Rams managed a 12-11 victory in eight innings Monday afternoon.

The Rams struck first, with a run in the first inning. But the Devils responded with a trio in their half of the frame to go up 3-1.

Lakeside responded with six runs in the third to knock starting pitcher Cliff Hunter off the hill.

Hunter went three frames, giving up three walks, a home run and recording three strikeouts.

He was replaced in the box by Jim Ed Hayes, who went the remainder of the way. Hayes fanned six, but gave up five walks.

Offensively, the Devils showed plenty of spark. Hunter recorded twin singles and an RBI. Hayes singled twice, driving in one. Tony Gatlin walked three times, while Brian McGalliard drove in three runs on three one-baggers.

Joshua Thomas, the team's designated hitter, rapped out a single, knocked in a run and walked three times. Wade Griffin ripped a twin-bagger, singled and walked. He also had an RBI. Justin Griffin had an RBI single, while Kenny Hughes walked. Josh Griffin walked and singled.

"We played good," Devil Coach John Pace said of his team's effort. "But we have a lot of young kids."

This year's baseball team has three seniors, one junior, four sophomores and a trio of freshmen. Pace said all three freshmen see playing time.

The team's strong point, at this juncture of the season, is its middle infield. Second and short are anchored by two seniors, McGalliard and W. Griffin.

However, the squad has no left handed pitching, though two players swing the stick from the left side of the plate. Gatlin, Pace said, is learning to be a switch hitter, while Hunter, who throws from the right side, naturally bats left handed.

Prior to the loss to Lakeside, the Devils recorded twin wins in the Gurdon Tournament last week.

The Devils clipped Benton Harmony Grove 7-6 and routed Delight 14-4.

This has set them up in the championship game against arch-rival Prescott Wednesday afternoon at 4 o'clock.

Following Wednesday's game with Prescott, the Devils have a date Thursday with Junction City. This will be a conference game, hosted by Gurdon.

On March 25, the Devils will make their shortest road trip of all to Prescott in league play. This game was changed from April 3 because it falls during Gurdon's Spring Break. They will then tangle with Delight on March 28.

Entering April, Gurdon has a date with DeQueen, there, on April Fool's Day. April 8 will see the Devils lock horns with the Fordyce Redbugs in conference play.

The team will step out of league action to see what Hampton has to offer on April 10. Nashville will pay Gurdon a visit on April 15, while Stamps will host the team on April 19.

The Devils will venture to Hot Springs for a return engagement with Lakeside on April 22, and will host Prescott in non-conference play on April 24.

The regular season will be wrapped up against Junction City as the Dragons pay a visit to Gurdon's back yard.

The district tournament will be held in DeQueen beginning April 27.

All regular season games, however, will begin at 4 p.m., with the exception of Thursday's game against Junction City, which starts at 3:30 p.m.