FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The White team made an early lead stand up Wednesday afternoon at Baum Stadium, scoring seven first-inning runs and picking up a 9-5 victory to take a 2-1 lead in the Fall World Series.
The White team jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning, coaxing three consecutive walks before Tyler Spoon came to the dish drilled a bases-clearing double to left center to make it 3-0. The offense continued in the first frame with four more runs, courtesy of RBI hits from Tucker Pennell and Rick Nomura to give the White squad a 7-0 lead.
Both teams traded runs in the fifth inning as the Cardinal team used a leadoff triple by Krisjon Wilkerson who later came around to score on an infield single by Blake Wiggins, while the White squad scored its run on one swing, using a solo blast to left field by Michael Bernal.
Holding an eight-run lead heading to the seventh inning, the White team started to struggle on the mound and the Cardinal team capitalized, using three hits and three walks to plate four runs and make it 9-5. Darien Simms and Brett McAfee forced in runs with bases loaded walks, while Josh Alberius and Andrew Benintendi provided RBI hits in the four-run frame.
Keaton McKinney earned the win, lasting 6.0 innings and giving up three runs on six hits, while striking out six. Four pitchers took the hill for the White team, with Mark Hammel, Jackson Lowery and Cannon Chadwick all seeing action.
The Cardinal pitching staff went six deep with Kyle Pate posting the best outing, going 1.1 innings and not allowing a hit, while striking out one.
The White team will look to clinch the Fall World Series Friday, Oct. 17 at 3 p.m. at Baum Stadium.
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