1A State Semi-Finals Fayetteville v Abbott

Game 1

In a rematch of the 2017 State Championship game, the Fayetteville Lions would take on the Abbott Panthers. Two great programs that are fine examples again of the reason why the 1A bracket is so important.

Fayetteville’s Damon Gerick would lead off the game with a hit by pitch. That was followed by a single to right field. A single by Jerrette Brown would start the games scoring. The Lions would add one more on a fielders choice by Reid Kubala. Despite a couple of baserunners in the bottom of the first, Abbott couldn’t push a run across.

Fayetteville went down quietly in the top of 2. Capitalizing on walks to load the bases and even walk in Abbott’s first run of the game, Senior Hunter Pope would line one into left to plate 2 and give Abbott its first lead of the game. The Panthers got two quick outs in the top of 3 but a walk followed by 2 throwing errors trying to get Fayetteville’s Jerrette Brown stealing second and then pick him off at third would allow Brown to score and tie up the game. Abbott went down quietly and quickly in the bottom of the third.

With 2 outs and runners on 2 and 3, Lyle Muese hits one to the shortstop. A low throw by Hunter Pope pulls Brandon Brown off the bag at 1 and 2 runs score. Its 5-3 Fayetteville with 2 outs in top of 4. A single by Damon Gerick would force a Panthers pitching change. Senior, Brandon Brown would come to the mound. The top of the 4^th would end 7-3 Fayetteville. But timely hitting including a shot to left off the wall and Abbott would make it a new ballgame at 7-7.

The Lions would capitalize on an error by the left fielder to scrape one run across in the top of 5 and then shut down the Panthers to end the 5^th at 8-7 Fayetteville. Fayetteville would blow it open in the Top of the 7^th scoring 3 on 3 hits to put the score at 11-7. Abbott got the leadoff walk in the bottom half but couldn’t move anyone else. Final 11-7 Fayetteville

WP – Jacob Schley

LP – Brandan Brown

Player of the Game: Braden Rohde