Carson Luna lit up the scoreboard with four RBIs, including a thunderous grand slam. It wasn’t quite enough, as the Eufaula Ironheads (5-13) fell just short in a dramatic 15-14 slugfest against the Catoosa Indians on Friday.
It was a back-andforth thriller that saw both teams combine for 31 hits and 29 runs. Eufaula racked up 13 hits, but Catoosa answered with 18 of their own, using a solo shot from Brogan O’Neal in the top of the eighth to escape with the win.
Catoosa jumped out early, taking advantage of multiple Eufaula errors to plate three runs across the first two innings. They added two more in the third behind another Eufaula miscue and an RBI single from O’Neal.
Down big heading into the seventh, the Ironheads mounted an incredible rally, erupting for eight runs on six hits. Jax Williams and Connor McAllister each drove in a run, and walks by Hayden Robinson and JP Hicks added two more. But the biggest swing came from Luna, who blasted a grand slam to left, sending the Eufaula dugout into a frenzy and tying the game at 14-all.
O’Neal had the final word, launching a solo homer in the eighth to give Catoosa the edge. Eufaula couldn’t answer in the bottom half.
Ryder Stidham picked up the win for the Indians, tossing 1.1 innings and allowing just one run. Hayden Robinson took the loss for the Ironheads in relief. Starter Carson Luna gave a solid effort on the mound, allowing no earned runs through two innings.
Offensively, Dawson Hughes led the Ironheads with three hits in six at-bats, while Williams, Baylor Bohannon, and McAllister each added multiple hits. Hicks and Robinson each reached base twice via walks, and the Ironheads swiped four bags, also turning a double play defensively.
For Catoosa, O’Neal was unstoppable, going 3-for-5 with six RBIs and a home run. Jerett McMains, Tanner Casey, and Reid McConnell each logged three hits, and the Indians wreaked havoc on the bases with eight total steals.
Despite the loss, the Ironheads showed heart and fire in a comeback for the ages just narrowly missing the final punch.
Ironheads pick up much needed win over Spiro The Eufaula Ironheads picked up a big 11-2 win over Spiro on Thursday. Hayden Robinson drove in four runs on three hits to lead Eufaula past Spiro in non-district action. JP Hicks earned the complete game victory and struck out 12 batters on the day. Dawson Hughes had three hits while Baylor Bohannon added two.