BEARCATS HIT FOUR HOME RUNS SATURDAY

Four players hit home runs in the Class 3A Region 1 tournament finals Saturday in Harrison, but the Bearcats suffered a 14-13, eight inning loss to Elkins and will be the two seed from the region in this week’s state tournament.

Brooks Herrera led off Saturday’s game with a home run. It was the second straight day he did so and was his third home run of the weekend including an inside the park home run in Thursday’s opening round.

For the weekend Herrera hit .750 with two doubles and a triple besides the three home runs. He drove in eight runs in the three games and scored 11 times.

Herrera also picked up his 15th career win on the mound against West Fork.

Rylen Ray (shown) provided the second home run, a two run shot that cut an Elkins lead to 8-7. It was the first home run of the year for Ray, who was released to play in April. Ray also doubled and drove in four during the weekend.

Peyton Tatum hit his second home run of the season, a two run shot in the sixth to give the Bearcats a 10-9 lead. Tatum hit .333 during the tournament with three doubles and drove in four.

Dax Goff sent the first pitch he saw in the seventh out of the park for his 10th home run of the year. A three run shot it capped a five RBI day. Goff hit .417 during the tournament with six RBI.

Goff, who recorded his 10th career win against Charleston in the semifinals.

Goff’s homer was the 15th of his career and completed a cycle for the season of solo, two-run, three-run, and grand slam home runs.

The three run shot gave the Bearcats a 13-10 lead but Elkins tied it in the bottom of the inning. The Elks had a chance to win it but Rhett Nietert started a 4-2-3 double play to end the inning and force an extra frame.

Nietert also had a big weekend hitting .385 and driving in four.

Jace Washburn, who ended the game at second base, his fourth position of the day, was 4-for-4 with a sacrifice bunt in the finale Saturday and finished the weekend at .545 with a double and four RBI.

Dunn Daniel had five hits, hit .385 with three RBI, and stole two bases during the weekend.

Matt O’Bar exhibited patience at the plate, drawing four walks during the three games. He scored three times and Cam Osborne, running for him at times, also scored three times.

O’Bar was also one of the six pitchers the Bearcats used during the 21 innings of play.

David Hicks was also responsible for an RBI during the tournament.

The Bearcats will face Fouke at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in Farmington in the opening round of the Class 3A state tournament. Quarterfinal and semifinal rounds will be played in Lincoln, who is the host school.