Senior Jared Case employed strong leadership on the mound and at the plate to help West Lincoln stay in the hunt for the final playoff spot in the Region 7-1A race as the Bears defeated the Bogue Chitto Bobcats 4-1 Tuesday night in baseball action at the Cow Palace.

     “Jared Case provided a solid performance on the mound and at the plate,” said West Lincoln coach Steve Barrington. “We managed to get runners on base and got the timely hits we needed to get them in.

     “This was a good win, but we must refocus and prepare for a battle Friday.”

     Case was the winning pitching for the Bears with 10 strikeouts and four walks. He also hit a home run.

 

     The Bears (5-12, 1-4) invade Bogue Chitto Friday to battle the Bobcats (6-12, 1-4). The winner claims the final spot in the playoffs as the No. 3 seed. Junior varsity action begins at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity game at 7.

West Lincoln 4, Bogue Chitto 1

     In a tough, region and Lincoln County rivalry, the Bears and Bobcats faithful witness a fierce battle. BC came in looking to clinch third place in the region race, while West Lincoln fighting to stay alive.

     After two scoreless innings, West Lincoln managed to get on the scoreboard. Case blasted a solo home run to put the Bears up 1-0.

     In the bottom of the fifth inning, West Lincoln added some insurance runs and increased their lead to 4-0.

     In the top of the seventh, BC refused to go out scoreless and broke up the shutout by pushing across one run with one out.

     The Bobcats were threatening to rally as they had two runners on base and the potential tying run at the plate, but the Bears managed to preserve the victory.

     Zach Avants absorbed the setback for the Bobcats with 13 strikeouts and four walks.

     Case directed West Lincoln’s offense with a home run and a single. Tyler Moak contributed three singles. Bryce Temple and Lofton Sills ripped a double. Jeremy Burns singled.

     Nick Parker was the offensive leader for Bogue Chitto with a double and a single. Keith Wells hit a double and Steven Ginn had a single.

     “We struggled to get things going offensively,” said BC first year coach Russ Carter. “Jared Case pitched a great job and he kept us off balance. West Lincoln did the things needed to get the win by taking advantage of our miscues.

     “We must regroup and get ready for a huge match Friday,” continued Carter. “Winner moves on to the playoffs; loser stays home.”

     In JV action, West Lincoln edged Bogue Chitto 5-4.

     Charles Wayne Smith and Brady Thompson paced the Bears offense with a pair of singles. Lucas Burris provided a double. Hitting safely were Jayden Rushing, Lee Chislom, Treston Roberts, Turner Pyles, Chase Buckles and Tanner Boutwell.

     Rudy Brumfield led the Bobcats at the plate with a home run. Cameron Price contributed two singles. Joey Elliott singled.