C3D1: East Prairie wins second title in three years with 4-2 win over Caruthersville

MALDEN, Mo. — For a program with only four district championships in its long history, East Prairie has made the most of recent opportunities, adding a second title in three seasons with a 4-2 victory over Caruthersville on Wednesday, May 15.

“I’m extremely happy,” said East Prairie coach Gary Scott. “These kids have stuck together and played for each other. Seeing all that hard work and dedication come together for a district championship is great.”

The early innings were a defensive stalemate, with both teams flashing leather and keeping runs off the board.

East Prairie's Will Jarvis (1) takes a swing during a 4-2 win over Caruthersville in the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Championship at Malden on Wednesday, May 17, 2024.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Winfield White singled with two outs and reached scoring position for the Eagles (19-9) after the next batter was walked in the bottom of the first inning, but the threat was extinguished by a fielder's choice.

Keagan Tyler followed suit in the second inning, reaching base on a single and advancing on a walk, only to be left stranded.

The Tigers (17-10) chance came with Kamron Isbell-Watkins finding himself in scoring position in the third, but a fielder's choice again ended the inning.

East Prairie's Noah Johnson (7) throws a pitch during a 4-2 win over Caruthersville in the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Championship at Malden on Wednesday, May 17, 2024.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Tate Henderson’s leadoff single sparked a breakthrough fourth inning for East Prairie, setting the stage for Will Jarvis to drive him home with a clutch RBI single to left field.

The Eagles extended the lead to 2-0 later in the inning after Tyler scored on a bases-loaded walk.

Winfield White then put the exclamation point on the inning, lining a single to right that scored Rayne Jerrigan and Jarvis, putting East Prairie firmly in control 4-0.

East Prairie's Owen Knight (11) dumps Gatorade on coach Gary Scott following a 4-2 win over Caruthersville in the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Championship at Malden on Wednesday, May 17, 2024.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

“One good inning where we got a couple of big hits and that’s all it took,” Scott said. “I’m proud of our guys. They hung in there and never gave up. Even when we didn’t make some plays, we kept our heads up and made the next one.”

Caruthersville mounted a comeback attempt in the fifth, loading the bases with a single by Isbell-Watkins, a walk to Ryan Guest, and a hit batsman.

However, Noah Johnson, rose to the challenge, striking out a batter and inducing a groundout to escape the jam unscathed.

Caruthersville's Kamron Isbell-Watkins throws a pitch during a 4-2 loss to East Prairie in the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Championship at Malden on Wednesday, May 17, 2024.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

““That was key,” Scott said. “He’s got great stuff and that’s what strikeout pitchers can do. You got to give him credit for that.”

The Tigers tried to claw back in the sixth inning. Isbell-Watkins, a thorn in the Eagles’ side all game, continued his heroics with an RBI single, and a subsequent error allowed him to score, narrowing the gap to 4-2.

Despite Isbell-Watkins' outstanding performance – a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate and a gutsy performance on the mound – the rally ultimately fell short.

East Prairie's Winfield White (17) sprints during a 4-2 win over Caruthersville in the MSHSAA Class 3, District 1 Championship at Malden on Wednesday, May 17, 2024.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

In the top of the seventh, Caruthersville had one last chance to mount a comeback.

Jack Pearson, who entered the game in the previous inning when Johnson reached his pitch limit, walked Kenyon Bogan to lead off the inning, but a quick pop-out brought the Tigers down to their final two outs.

Johnson finished his outing having allowed just one earned run on three hits over 5.2 innings, striking out 10 and walking five.

“[Johnson] held them in check for a long time,” Scott said. “He pitched a great game and allowed us to have an opportunity to win.”

An error then allowed Caruthersville to move runners into scoring position, bringing the potential go-ahead run to the plate.

But with the game hanging in the balance, Pearson dug deep, inducing a flyout and a groundout to secure the 4-2 victory and earn the save.

“Pearson came into a big spot and did a great job in a closing situation,” Scott said. “I’m proud of him for staying focused and making some big pitches.”

East Praiire now sets its sights on the sectional round, where they will travel to Kelly (13-15) on Tuesday, May 21.

“It’s going take a complete game from everybody,” Scott concluded. “You don’t win that district without being a good team; we know our work is cut out for us.”

__EAST PRAIRIE 4, CARUTHERSVILLE 2__

C’Ville 000 002 0 — 2 3 1

E. Prairie 000 400 x — 4 6 2

W—Noah Johnson. L—Kamron Isbell-Watkins.