PELAHATCHIE — It wasn’t pretty, but Lamar School coach Matt Boone will take the win.

In a game that had a combined 12 errors, the Raiders outlast East Rankin Academy 12-11 to sweep the MAIS District 2-5A series on Friday night at Patriot Field.

“It was embarrassing the way we played on defense, but one thing I can say is our kids are resilient and come into every game expecting to win,” said Lamar School coach Matt Boone. “It was game three of the series and crazy things can happen, but we hit the ball well tonight. Our goal was to be 3-0 when we leave and we’re 3-0 getting out of here.”

Lamar jumped out to a 3-0 in the top of the first inning. East Rankin tied the game up 3-3 in the bottom half of the inning on a throwing error, a fielding error and an RBI single by Andy Bowman.

The Raiders answered with five runs in the top of the second to take 8-3 lead that saw Lamar capitalize on three East Rankin errors in the inning.

The Patriots responded with four runs in the bottom half to cut the Lamar lead to 8-7 highlighted by a two-run triple by Brayden Ingram.
Lamar answered with a run in the top of the third to take 9-7 lead on a Sullivan Reed sacrifice fly.

The Raiders tacked on three runs in the top of the fourth to take a 12-7 lead on a two-run single by Ty Wiggins and a fielding error.

East Rankin scored four runs in the bottom half to cut the Lamar lead to 12-11 on two-run single by Henry Johnson, a triple by Ingram, and a single by Will McGee.

In the bottom of the seventh East Rankin got two runners but a line drive double play at second base ended the game.

Reed (3-1) got the win on the mound tossing six innings allowing 10 hits, 11 runs (only four earned) and had nine strikeouts.
Reed, Wiggins, and Ty Herrington had two hits apiece for the Raiders (14-3, 3-0 MAIS District 2-5A).

“Sullivan threw the ball well enough and the way we were swinging the bats we should’ve been out of here early, but we didn’t play well in the field at all. Practice on Monday is going to be a good one,” Boone said. “We kept shooting ourselves in the foot and all of a sudden it’s a one run game. Our guys found a way to win. Our district is tough and next week we have Wayne Academy and they’re going to be ready.”