The Clinton Maroons delivered an explosive offensive performance Thursday night, erupting for 11 runs and pulling away from Meridian for an 11-4 victory in a game filled with timely hitting, aggressive baserunning, and clutch innings from the Maroon lineup.
After a scoreless first inning from Meridian, Clinton broke through in the bottom of the first with a two-out rally. Stone Stith ripped a double to left field before Josh Bass followed with an RBI double to center, bringing home the game’s first run. Moments later, Jack Manning drew a walk and eventually scored on a strikeout sequence that allowed the Maroons to grab a 2-0 lead.
In the Bottom of the Third; The Maroons loaded the bases before Cole Fentress crushed a bases-clearing double to left field, scoring Emmett Brown, Ryan Pine, and Jaxon Reynolds to extend the lead to 7-1. Clinton continued the inning with another run after Jaxon Reynolds grounded into a fielder’s choice that plated Jack Manning.
Meridian attempted to claw back into the game in the fourth inning. Grady Stock and Brody Britton each delivered RBI singles while Jayden Doty worked a bases-loaded walk, helping Meridian cut the lead to 7-3.
However, Clinton once again had an answer.
In the bottom of the fourth, Brock Wilson lined an RBI single to right field to score Stone Stith and stretch the lead to 8-3. The Maroons added two more runs in the sixth inning after Cole Fentress reached on an error that allowed Jaxon Reynolds to score, followed by Brock Wilson’s RBI double to left field to make it 11-4.
Fentress played a major role in the victory, finishing with two hits and three RBIs while also scoring a run. Brock Wilson also turned in a strong performance at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Stone Stith added a pair of runs and a double, while Jack Manning reached base four times and scored twice. Jaxon Reynolds scored two runs and drove in another for the Maroons.
Clinton totaled Eight hits but consistently applied pressure with patience at the plate, drawing nine walks and forcing Meridian into defensive mistakes throughout the contest.
On the mound, Preston Curtis earned the win after tossing three innings, allowing just two hits and no earned runs while striking out three. Jack Manning provided solid middle relief with three strikeouts over one inning, and Xander Reynolds closed the game by working the final three innings while striking out three more hitters.
Defensively, the Maroons came up with several key plays throughout the night, including strong infield work from Stone Stith and Brock Wilson. Clinton’s pitchers also controlled the running game effectively, picking runners off base in multiple innings to halt Meridian momentum.
The balanced effort helped Clinton secure another strong win as the Maroons combined disciplined hitting, aggressive baserunning, and steady pitching in a complete team performance.
#10 Cole Fentress Post Game Interview
#10 Cole Fentress with a 3 RBI Double to Left Field
#46 Ryan Pine with the Foul Ball Catch
#27 Brock Wilson with a Hard Hit Double to Left Field
#13 Josh Bass with a Hard Hit RBI Double
#10 Cole Fentress Puts down the Bunt, and Outruns the Throw
#8 Stone Stith with a Hard Hit Double to Left Field