Dyer County Choctaws defeat Kennett Indians in extra innings

KENNETT, Mo. - The Kennett baseball Indians Friday lost an ultra-close game in extra innings against a solid Dyer County, Tennessee team.

The Dyer County Choctaws crossed the river into Indian territory and took home the W, 4-2.

The Indians were out front 2-0 early in the game on two singles. The Indians' Hayden Gilmore singled and scored one run.

A Choctaw player scores Friday at Indian Park.Photo by Steve Hankins

Fast forward to the fourth inning, with the score 2-0 Indians and the Choctaw's bats heating up. Dyer County's Jack Smith, batting .600, hit a triple and Gavin Lynn singled, tying the score at two.

The score remained tied until the bottom of the seventh, and the game went into extra innings. The Indians fell behind in the top of the eighth when Kole Fenton doubled and Trey Tarkington knocked out a sacrifice fly. Both hits scored runs and the Indians were unable to rally in the bottom of the inning.

Choctaw baseball head coach Derek Hinson, in his debut season as HC, offered maximum props to the Indians.

“There's an unbelievable group of talent here,” Hinson said. “We finally, since 2014, got to come down here and play.

Dyer County Choctaws baseball head coach Derek Hinson instructs his players Friday at Indian Park.Photo by Steve Hankins

“When I got the job, I circled Kennett in particular,” he continued. “The competition is great and Coach New does a fantastic job. I wanted to come down here and I want to keep coming.”

Hinson noted Friday's game was the fifth in five days for the Choctaws.

“We had to play four district games in a row,” he said. “Coming in, we knew (pitcher Ashton Williams') fastball, curve ball and change really mixed well.

Kennett's Ashton Williams loads up Friday at Indian Park.Photo by Steve Hankins

“I mean, that guy is fantastic,” he added. “Probably the No.1 arm we face with three pitches, and can control all three. So we got a few guys to change their approach a little bit.”

Kennett Indian starting pitcher Ashton Williams fires one Friday at Indian Park.Photo by Steve Hankins

Batting skills were important to the Choctaws' learning curve and were emphasized this season, the coach noted.

Kennett Indians starting pitcher Ashton Williams at bat Friday at Indian Park.Photo by Steve Hankins

“This year we tried to establish hitting the baseball,” Hinson said. “Competing in the box and not giving bats away.

“Putting the ball in play to see what happens,” he added. “Obviously, it worked today with a little kick here and there.”

And Hinson did not discount the Indians' skillset.

Kennett's Ashton Williams takes a cut Friday at Indian Park.Photo by Steve Hankins

“Kennett hit line drives right at our guys today,” he said. “It was just one of those days of baseball where Kennett found more outs and we found more ground. Tomorrow could be a different day. Hats off to the Indians for their performance today and for welcoming us here to Indian Park. The team and Coach New were just great.”

The Indians starter, Ashton Williams, took the loss. Williams was in six innings, gave up two runs on three hits, struck out nine batters and walked two.

Choctaw reliever Easton Ozment, with a 1.05 ERA earned the Choctaw win. Ozment pitched three innings, allowed two hits and no runs, struck out one batter and walked two.

Dyer County Choctaw southpaw pitcher Eli Powell on the mound Friday at Indian Park. Photo by Steve Hankins

Dyer County starter, southpaw Eli Powell was in for five, gave up two runs on seven hits, struck out two batters and walked one.

The Indians' Gilmore, Payton Branum and Caleb Duncan each had two hits. Gilmore and Branum each drove in one run.

Jon David Binkley, Tarkington, Lynn, and Fenton each scored a hit for Dyer County. Tarkington, Smith, Lynn and Fenton all knocked in RBIs for the Choctaws.

Dyer County Choctaw batter at the plate Friday at Indian Park.Photo by Steve Hankins

The Indians recovered from Friday's loss and dismantled Brookland, Ark., Saturday on the road 6-1. The Indians travel to play Jackson (16-6) at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 23.