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Baseball Bears Burn 6-0 Lead, Drop SCA Contest at Houston

The Ava Bears took a six run lead into the bottom of the fifth inning at Houston last Wednesday but saw the SCA title slip through their hands as the Tigers scored eight runs in the final three innings to beat the Bears 8-7 in eight innings.
The loss dropped the Bears from the ranks of the undefeated in the SCA and slipped Ava into a tie for the conference championship with Mtn. Grove. The Panthers’ only conference loss was to the Bears on April 23.
Ava scored four runs in the first inning at Houston and added two more in the top of the fifth to lead 6-0. Houston scored one run in the bottom of the sixth, then added five in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to an extra frame.
Ava scored one in the top of the eighth to take the lead, but Houston picked up two in the bottom of the inning to win the contest.
Ben Loge started for the Bears and went seven innings, but was not the pitcher of record. Zach Hunsaker pitched one-third of an inning and took the loss for Ava.
Cantrell got the win for Houston, throwing all eight innings.
Cody Huff had two hits, including a triple, and three RBIs for the Bears. Loge and Cooper Emerich also had two hits, and Loge, Shannon Porter, Morgan Smith and Hunsaker drove in runs for Ava.
Loge and Chase Gastineau (1-for-3) each had a double for Ava.
The Bears began play in the Ash Grove Tournament on Saturday and dropped two more games, losing to Ash Grove 6-5 and Fordland, 3-0.
Tournament play was suspended this week due to weather, and with district action beginning this weekend, it is not likely the tournament will be completed.
Ash Grove scored three runs in the first and one in the second, and held a 4-0 lead after three innings of play.
Ava picked up a run in the bottom of the fourth, and added four in the fifth to lead 5-4 after five fulling innings of play.
Ash Grove would add two runs in the top of the sixth, however, and held on to win the game, 6-5.
Nick Sterling pitched for the Bears, allowing eight hits and striking out four.
Chance Boyd, Shannon Porter and Morgan Smith were 2-for-4 against Ash Grove and Smith drove in two runs. Loge, Emerich and Smith each had a double for Ava.
The Bears got eight hits off Fordland but were unable to manufacture a run.
Emerich was 3-for-4 at the plate and Smith was 2-for-2 with a walk. Caleb McFarlin was 1-for-3 with a double.
Hunsaker pitched for Ava, allowing three runs on four hits, and struck out five batters. Hyder went the distance for Fordland and got the win despite allowing eight hits and walking four Bears.