Eagles Hold Early One Game Lead In District

The Canton Eagle varsity baseball team went into Tuesday’s game in Wills Point with a one-game lead over the pack in the district race.

With wins over Mineola, Kemp and Van, the Eagles built a 4-1 district mark, while Wills Point, Van and Mineola are tied at 3-2.

Coming off a disappointing loss against Eustace, the Eagles defeated district favorite Mineola, 2-0. David Aaron pitched six innings of one-hit, shutout ball, striking out nine and walking four. Nick Garrison came in the seventh and earned the save.

Ethan Vestal provided the needed offense with a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth.

The offense was more plentiful in a 14-4 win over the Van Vandals. The Eagles put up 12 runs in the first three innings, including five in the first at bat. Jonathan Savis, Colten Brewer and Brett Anderson had consecutive base hits to spark the early run production.

Jonathan Huddle got the start and pitched 2-1/3 innings. Brewer came in and held the Vandals scoreless and hitless the rest of the way. Brewer also put together a 4-for-4 night at the plate with 3 RBI. Savis was 2-for-3 with 2 RBI.

Playing in Kemp, the Eagles scored four in the top of the seventh to get a come-from-behind, 6-3 win.

Trailing 3-2 going into the last at bat, pinch hitter Allen Plunk singled to center. Pinch runner David Aaron came in for Plunk and stole second, and scored on Lucas Sanford’s game-tying single. A poorly played bunt laid down by Tanner Smith resulted in runners at first and second. Brewer hit the game-winner, driving in Sanford, and Vestal and B.J. Arthur added insurance RBI hits.

The Eagles started the second half of the district schedule on Tuesday in Wills Point. The team will try to avenge its’ only first half loss when Eustace visits on Friday.