Indians Win in 11 to Stay Alive in Playoff Hunt

Cruz Mullinix struck out 11 of the 20 batters that he faced in relief, and scored the go ahead run in the top of the 11th inning, and the Stephens County Indians stayed alive for a AAA state playoff spot defeating Monroe Area 7-5 in 11 innings Tuesday night in Monroe.

In the deciding 11th inning, Mullinix led the inning with a walk, and advanced to 3rd base on an errant throw on Ian Rumsey’s bunt. Mullinix scored the go ahead run on Nick Randall’s Sac Fly RBI, and the Indians scored an insurance run when Mason Roberts got in a rundown allowing Rumsey to score.

The Indians trailed 3-1 after 4 innings, but scored one run in the 5th on Rumsey’s RBI single scoring Ben Stowe, and then took the lead in the top of the 6th inning when Craig Thurmond singled and scored on an error on Carson Worley’s bunt, and Stowe hit a two run home run to give the Indians a 5-3 lead.

The Purple Hurricanes tied the score in the bottom of the inning on Aiden Fenn’s two-run double, and the score remained tied at 5 until the 11th inning.

Mullinix picked up the win on the mound for the Indians going 4 and 2/3 innings. Ayden Garmon started the game and went 3 and 2/3, and Garrett Pless also pitched well going 2 and 2/3.

Jake Hegwood picked up the loss for the Purple Hurricanes.

Worley, Stowe, and Thurmond had three hits each to lead the offense.

The Indians improve to 3-10 in Region-8 play and 9-16 overall. Monroe Area falls to 4-9 in the region and 11-17 overall.

The two teams will meet in a doubleheader on Friday at Stephens County and the Indians must win both games to advance to the playoffs. Airtime is scheduled for 4:45 P.M. with the first pitch at 5 P.M. on WNEG.