May 15, 2008

The West Plains Zizzers scored seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning at Marshfield Monday and defeated Ava 16-10 in the first round of the District Tournament. It was only the third loss of the season for the Bears, but it ended the year for the team that finished with an envious 18-3 record. Ava scored four runs in the first inning and added three more in the third to take a 7-0 lead over the No. 4 ranked Zizzers. West Plains scored six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to narrow Ava’s lead to 7-6, and Ava answered with three more in the top of the fifth to expand its lead, once again. The Zizzers came right back with three runs in the bottom of the fifth, then drove the nails home in the sixth with a seven-run explosion that generated the final score. Weston Loftin started for Ava and was relieved by Trae Shelton in the fourth. Jonathan Batcheller, Adam Heriford and Brad Stanifer all took a turn on the mound in the devastating sixth inning. Matt Ritter had a two-run home run for the Bears in the first inning and Batcheller had a solo blast in the third. Ritter had three runs batted in on the day, as did Dustie Plumb who was 2-for-4 with a double. Loftin drove in two runs and scored three times for Ava.