The Lufkin Panthers scored 5 runs in the bottom of the 5th and defeated the Pleasant Grove Hawks 8-7 on a walk off RBI single by Austin Lindsey. The game was a quarterfinal match up in the Lufkin tournament Saturday.
The Panthers (5-3) players rushed the field and their home fans erupted after the walk off win. The game was called after 5 innings due to the time limit.
It was a disappointing loss for the Hawks who played well in the tournament their first 3 games of the tournament and Saturday too, except for the last 1/2 inning. However, Pleasant Grove did finish in the final four.
Hawk left handed pitcher Walker Wright pitched 4 complete innings. Wright allowed only 1 earned run on 3 hits. He struck out 1 and walked three. Walker gave up a lead off single in the bottom of the 5th and was pulled for reliever Cade Martin. Martin and the Hawks were unable to hold on to the lead.
Hawks coach Riley Fincher said it was a great tournament, exept for the end of Saturday’s game
“It was a great tournament and Lufkin was a great host. We played some great teams but in the last game, we got to finish the game,” Pleasant Grove Hawks head coach Riley Fincher said. “I’ll take ownership of that as head of this program but our men a resilient and they’ll respond in great ways. We believe in each and every one of them and we believe this team has a chance to be real special this year.”
Ty Boozer had a great day batting for the Hawks. Boozer was 2-for-3 with a double. Cade Martin was 2-for-3 with an RBI and Hunter Rose was 2-for-2, Jarret Halter was 1-for-2 with 3 RBI, and Buck Anderson was 1-for-3 with an RBI. Hawk shortstop JM Long was 1-for-four.
Hallsville beat Lufkin in the semifinal 10-2. In the Final Concordia Lutheran beat Hallsville 8-2. Concordia Lutheran was crowned the champion of the tournament.
The Hawks will compete in the Hallsville tournament Thursday though Saurday, March 9th through the 11th. The games will be broadcast live on 94.1 FM ESPN-Texarkana.