By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Paragould-Glenn Sain GMC Senior American Legion team is not accustomed to losing, but the Cabot-Centennial Bank team split a doubleheader at Paragould on Sunday. The Cabot team dropped the first of two pitchers’ duels 2-1, but bounced back for a 3-1 victory in game two. It was just the third loss in 33 games for Paragould this summer.
The first three innings of game one went by rapidly, with a grand total of two base runners, one for each team. Cabot’s first base runner came in the top of the third when Rail Gilliam struck out, but reached base on a third-strike passed ball. The next three batters went down in order on two more strikeouts and a groundout to second base.
Cabot pitcher Brett Brockinton was just as dominant as Paragould’s Ty Gordon. The only base runner he allowed through the first three innings was on an error at first base.
Cabot went down in order again in the top of the fourth, and Paragould finally got some offense going in the bottom half.
P.J. Hilson and Larry Tilley hit back-to-back doubles to start the inning, with Tilley knocking in Hilson for the 1-0 lead. Ethan Allred then reached on an E5, and a sacrifice fly by Matthew Fraser scored Tilley to give the home team all the runs it would need for the win.
Cabot’s run came in the top of the fifth inning. Brockinton got a one-out single and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Gilliam then singled to center field to scoreBrockinton to set the final margin.
Brockinton retired Paragould in order in the bottom of the fifth, and gave up a one-out single in the sixth to finish his three-hitter.
Cabot threatened in the top of the sixth, getting two runners on base with one out when Caleb Harpole singled and Brian Tillery walked. But a strikeout and a fly ball to center field ended the half inning.
Jack Broyles hit a two-out single in the top of the seventh, but Gordon struck out Caleb Wilson to seal the victory.
Cabot finished with four base hits, one more than Paragould, but the unearned run allowed in the fifth proved decisive. Paragould committed no errors.
Brockinton finished with six strikeouts and zero walks, taking the loss despite an impressive performance. Gordon fanned eight Cabot batters and walked one.
GAME TWO
Michael Shepherd pitched a gem as well in game two and got the win. He gave up an early unearned run due to another Cabot fielding error in the bottom of the first inning, but it only tied the game. Cabot scored in the top of the first after back-to-back singles by Blake McCutchen and Caleb Harpole started the game. With those two at first and third, Brian Tillery got McCutchen home with a deep fly ball.
In the bottom of the first, Paragould’s Tillery reached on a two-out E5, and back-to-back base hits followed to drive in the base runner.
Cabot (11-10) scored the game’s final two runs in the top of the second before pitchers again took over the game.
Gilliam reached on a one-out E3 and Broyles doubled to put runners at second and third. Shepherd then singled to score Gilliam, and Broyles scored when Shepherd was picked off at and got caught in a rundown. As Broyles scored, Shepherd was thrown out at second base.
The game was called after five innings. Shepherd went the distance, giving up three hits and zero earned runs with four strikeouts and one intentional walk. Cabot had seven base hits, two by McCutchen and one each by Harpole, Brian Tillery, Logan Edmondson, Broyles and Shepherd.
AT PINE BLUFF
The Centennial Bank squad also traveled to Pine Bluff on Monday, but lost that game 7-2 to the Relyant Bank squad. Cabot scored first in the top of the second inning, but gave up two in the bottom half of the same frame and never led again. The home team, made up mostly of players from White Hall High School, added three runs in the bottom of the fourth and another in the sixth. Cabot scored in the top of the seventh and Pine Bluff set the final margin in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Cabot picked up just five hits in the nine-inning contest. Gilliam led the way, going 2 for 3 with a walk and one RBI. Harpole, Tillery and Broyles added one base hit apiece.
Pine Bluff compiled 13 base hits off three Centennial Bank pitchers. Caleb Wilson threw three and a third innings and took the loss. Brodey Schluter pitched three and two-thirds while Dylan Billingsley pitched one inning. Six of the home team’s seven runs were earned. Cabot committed three errors.
Cabot is scheduled to host Clarksville at 6 p.m. today at the Cabot Sports Complex.