Bullpups Conference Champs; Indians Runner Ups

By Clint Cox

Jackson County claimed the top two spots in the Panhandle Middle School Baseball Conference Tournament held Monday and Tuesday at the MERE Complex. Marianna Middle School brought home the Conference Championship with a ­­­­13-4 win over Grand Ridge Middle School in the title game on Tuesday night. With the win Marianna finished the 2010 season unbeaten.

The championship game saw Marianna jump out to a quick 4-0 lead. The inning was capped off when Jonathan Sikes scored on a past ball for the fourth run. Grand Ridge plated a run in the second inning when John Michael Glover reached on an error and later scored on a wild pitch. The Bullpups added five more runs to their lead in the bottom of the third as Sikes singled to score Reed Long. Sikes later scored on a wild pitch and Dequaris Baker scored on a RBI single from Kyle Tanner. The final run of the inning came when Tanner scored after forcing a throw down to third base. That gave the Bullpups a 9-1 lead after three innings of play.

Grand Ridge fired back in the top of the fourth with 3 runs as Trent Childs and Dustin Sneads were hit by Bullpup pitcher Reed Long. Sikes came into relieve Long and gave up a hit to Hunter Johnson to load the bases. Trent Moates singled to score Childs and then Sneads scored on a fielder’s choice. Johnson came home to score on a wild pitch and the Bullpups lead had been reduced to 9-4. The bottom of the fifth proved to be another big inning for Marianna as they plated another four runs. Walker Roberts singled and scored on a Grand Ridge error on a Nick Helms grounder. Tyler Colson stroked a two RBI double to score Helms and Trent Nobles. Colson came home moments later on a fielder’s choice to seal the final score at 13-4.

Grand Ridge advanced to the title game with an 13-9 win over Vernon on Monday night. The Indians jumped out to an early 9-4 lead after three innings of play and then added runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Moates was on the mound for Grand Ridge and keep Vernon in check most of the game as he picked up the win.

Marianna’s Monday night matchup was against Freeport and the Bullpups won 11-1. Tyler Colson picked up the win on the mound as Marianna scored early and scored often. Graceville also participated in the tournament and but fell to Freeport in game two on Monday.