Purdy Eagles advance to district finals

Go-ahead run Democrat Photo/Jared Lankford Purdy's Devon Bennett scores the go-ahead run in the sixth inning of the Eagles' 4-3 victory over Crane. [Order this photo]

"It was a great game," said Purdy Coach Joshua Hughes. "We played well on defense and took advantage of Miller's mistakes."

The Eagles scored twice in the first inning on Miller errors.

Riley Veith kept the Cardinals' hitters off-balance. Veith pitched five and one-third innings, allowed three hits and struck out eight.

Miller battled back to tie the game 2-2 in the top of the fourth inning; however, the game would not stay tied for long.

Kevin Miller's RBI single in the bottom of the fourth keyed a three-run inning that gave the Eagles the lead for good.

"We only managed five hits," said Hughes, "but we made them count."

Miller picked up the save for the Eagles.

Purdy blanks Sarcoxie

The Purdy Eagles won the opening game of districts with a 10-0 win over Sarcoxie on Saturday.

"Defensively, we played really well," said Purdy Coach Joshua Hughes. "Landon Terry pitched a great game. Sarcoxie only hit two balls out of the infield. Offensively, we struggled to get key hits."

Purdy batters were issued 14 free passes by Bears' pitchers. Riley Veith and Terry accounted for six of Purdy's eight hits.

"Usually, you don't win too many games when you only have two players hitting," said Hughes.

Purdy scored single runs in the first, second and fifth innings. The Eagles then exploded for seven runs in the sixth inning and activated the mercy rule to end the game.

"We were finally able to capitalize on Sarcoxie's pitching mistakes in the sixth," said Hughes.