PIERCE CITY, Mo. — Pierce City scored early and often and held off a furious rally late in a 14-12 win over College Heights on Friday.
The Cougars (2-5) jumped in front with two runs in the top of the first inning before the Eagles (6-2) rallied in a big way with three runs in the first inning, one in the second and three more in the third to take a 7-2 lead. CHC added a single tally in the fourth before Pierce City scored four times in the bottom half. The Cougars scored four times in the fifth only to see the Eagles answer with three of their own. College Heights scored five times in its last at-bat to climb within two runs of the lead before making the final out with the tying run at the plate.
Lucas Knight earned the win for Pierce City after allowing six runs, two earned, on eight hits, three walks and two strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.
Smoke Ezell took the loss after allowing 12 runs, 11 earned, on seven hits, five walks and two strikeouts in four innings of work.
Carson Jespersen had two hits, including a double, and four RBI to lead Pierce City. Clayton Raley had two hits, two RBI and two runs scored, while Layton Mack had two hits, scored twice and drove in one.
Josh Anderson, Kelton Welch and Phillip Thompson each had three hits for College Heights. Welch had an RBI and scored twice, while Anderson scored three times. Caleb Evans had two hits and three RBI, and Ben Thomass added two hits in the loss.
College Heights hosts Miller on Monday.
