ATLANTA, Texas — Brock Bearden had six RBIs, and the Pleasant Grove Hawks beat the Atlanta Rabbits 10-8 Monday night at Rabbit Field in the 2022 season opener.
Bearden had consecutive innings with base-clearing doubles as part of his 2-5 night at the plate.
Despite trailing the entire game, the Hawks were able to pull out the victory in the top of the seventh inning. Josh Brown started off the final push with a solo blast.
Aidan Murray’s pitching was pivotal as he completed 5.2 innings, giving up a run, 0 ER, a walk, and struck out four.
Pleasant Grove added one run in the first, one in the fourth, four in the sixth, and four runs in the seventh.
For the Rabbs, Ty Graf hit a double, had a run, and drove in two RBIs.
Dec Ebarb went 2-3 at the plate with two runs and an RBI.
Dylan Spears went three innings on the mound, giving up a run and striking out two.
Murray earned the win as Atlanta’s Cooper McClure was tagged with the loss.
“Anytime you get a win, it’s good,” Hawks coach Riley Fincher said. “Our guys did a great job of responding in the game. We didn’t play well in all the phases to start to the game, and you have to give credit to Atlanta. Aidan Murray came in relief and pitched great. He located three pitches and keep the game in reach for the offense. Offensively, we did enough late in the game to manufacture some runs. We had guys working the count deep to draw walks which allowed their teammates to pick them up.
“Brock Bearden had two huge swings in the sixth inning, both being bases clearing doubles. It was a good team win. We have to continue to get better every day and our guys will. We have a great group of young men.”
The Hawks will play in the Marshall Tournament starting Thursday, Feb. 24.
The Rabbs will also play Thursday as they take on the Carthage Bulldogs.
