FNB, Cherokee knotted atop standings

First National Bank topped Cherokee Manufacturing last week in Babe Ruth baseball action, and wins by both foes later in the week kept them in a tie for first place in the local league.

Hector Labrada finished 3-for-3 with two triples and a double to lead the way for First National, which stands tied with Cherokee at 3-1, in their May 21 meeting. Hayden Wood had a pair of hits in the winning cause, while winning pitcher Jordan Dennis, J.T. Morgan, Austin Panter, Chris Gross and Ryne Fults had one each.

Cherokee was led by Zack Rubley’s two hits, while Justin Ware and Mitchell Page had one each. Rubley took the loss on the mound.

In other Babe Ruth games:

Cherokee 11, Rotary Club 8

Last Thursday night, Justin Ware picked up the win on the mound for Cherokee, while Micah McColloch was the losing pitcher. Cherokee’s hits came from Morgan Adcock, Wesley Dyer, Rodrick Lusk, Ware, Dylan Fernandez, Mitchell Page and Zack Rubley. Rotary got a hit apiece from Cameron Moore, Luke Hillis, McColloch and Cody Robinson.

First National 11, Sundrop 1

J.T. Morgan and Jordan Dennis had two hits each in First National’s winning cause, while Adam Fann, Hector Labrada and Hayden Wood had one each. Matt Wilson had Sundrop’s only hit, while Jonathan Burton took the loss.

Rotary Club 8, Sundrop 7

On May 21, rotary edged Sundrop with Logan Walker getting the win on the hill while Alex Bragg took the loss.

Rotary’s hits came from Nick Grandey, Logan Walker, Cody Robinson and Justin McGregor, while Aaron Taylor, Austin Green and Bragg had two each for Sundrop while Jonathan Burton had one.

Cherokee 6, Rotary Club 5

Zack Rubley got the win on the mound in his team’s May 15 matchup, and helped his cause by going 2-for-3 at the plate, as did Mitchell Page and Dylan Fernandez. Justin Ware added a hit to the winning cause.

Beck Spurlock took the loss for Rotary, which got a hit apiece from Justin McGregor, Luke Hillis, Nick Grandey and Logan Walker.

First National 10, Sundrop 4

Daniel Troglen and Hayden Wood had a pair of hits each, while Adam Fann and J.T. Morgan added one apiece to help pitcher Brett Mullican to the win. For Sundrop, Matt Wilson had two hits, while Justin Kelley, Aaron Taylor, Ethan Wilson and Jonathan Burton had one each. Alex Bragg took the loss.

Rotary Club 3, First National 2

Rotary opened the season May 14 with a nail-biter, edging First National behind a complete-game performance from Micah McColloch. Jordan Dennis took the loss on the hill.

Nick Grandey went 2-for-4 and scored two runs in the winning cause, while Cody Robinson had a pair of hits and Dillon Rowland and Beck Spurlock had one each.

Hayden Wood, Dennis, Austin Panter and Chris Gross had one hit each for First National.

Cherokee 9, Sundrop 8

Zack Rubley, Justin Ware, Dylan Fernandez, Cole Rust and Noah Medley had a hit apiece for Cherokee, with Rubley earning the win on the mound. Sundrop got two hits from Green, while Matt Wilson, Alex Bragg, Aaron Taylor and Ethan Wilson had one each. Wilson came out on the losing end of the pitching matchup.