Miners play wild game against Star City
MARTIN COUCH Sports editor

BUNT SINGLE Bauxite's Ryan Dunlap lays down a bunt single in 5AAA Conference play against Glen Rose. The Miners won the game 4-2. PHIL HOBBY PHOTO

The Bauxite Miners picked up a key 5AAA Conference win over Glen Rose, but found out that lackadaisical play against any opponent can prove costly.

"We didn't have any enthusiasm and we had a running session after we lost to Star City," said Bauxite head coach Joshua Harrison.

Case in point: the Miners committed 12 errors in a 14-11 loss at home to Star City.

"We came out like we didn't want to be there," Harrison said. "I think we got their [the players'] attention."

Hopefully, the Miners can correct their issues and play better today when they travel to Jessieville.

In the top of the first inning against Star City, Bauxite gave up seven runs with nearly every position on the team getting at least one error.

"It was the worst baseball I'd seen," said Bauxite assistant coach Mike Mattox.

The Miners came back to score five runs in the bottom of the first innings, as Star City had its problems, too.

"It's who wanted it most," Mattox said. "It was close and both teams kicked the ball around and walked a lot."

Brandon Balding led the Miners at the plate with a three-forthree performance that included a sacrifice fly.

"He's been struggling, but he's come around for us and getting his confidence up," Mattox said. Austin Hicks was twofor three.

The Miners also take on the Benton Panthers junior varsity at 10 a.m. Friday.

"I don't know anything about Jessieville and I'll probably go with my top four on Wednesday and see who'll be ready for Fri- day."

Brooks has been coming around fast for the Miners with an 11-strikeout performance for Bauxite in a 4-2 conference win against Glen Rose.

"He threw the ball well that day," Mattox said. "I want all of our pitchers to be more competitive and Steven has been challenging batters and that's why he's successful."

Brooks has 21 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings of pitching.

Against Glen Rose, Jake Jones put the Beavers on the board with the game's first run. Brant Abbott scored Jones on a single to left field.

The Miners answered when Blake Childress and Max Boshears both reached on errors. After Boshears stole second, Childress scored on a balk by Glen Rose pitcher J Keith.

Ryan Dunlap broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth inning when he led off with a single, stole second and came in when Trevor Pendleton grounded out. Glen Rose tied the game in the top of the fifth when Ethan Holicer reached on an error and scored on an error.

Hicks beat out an infield single with two outs in the bottom of the fifth, and then stole second base. Dunlap walked and Balding singled to right to score Hicks.

Dunlap came in on another balk by Keith.

"Steven did a great job on the mound for us," said Harrison. "He was in a groove and kept them off balance. They are a good team and we were fortunate to get the right hits at the right times. This is a huge win for us in the conference. Glen Rose is one of the best teams, but right now everybody is kind of beating up on everybody else and it will probably stay that way until the district tournament."