By Jackson Vaerewyck
FORT SMITH, Ark. (July 30, 2024) — The Sherman Shadowcats suffered a narrow 10-8 loss to the Fort Smith Marshals in the first game of their two-game series at Crowder Field on Tuesday night. This defeat brings the Shadowcats closer to falling out of playoff contention.
The Marshals struck first in the bottom of the first inning when right fielder Keypher Contreras DeLeon (Navarro College) singled to left field, driving in third baseman Matthew Schilling (University of Arkansas Fort Smith). Sherman quickly responded in the top of the second inning with right fielder Ryan Sessions (Redlands Community College) singling through the right side, allowing designated hitter Grey Quimby to score.
Fort Smith regained the lead in the bottom of the second inning. First baseman Eli Merritt (Hastings College) doubled down the left field line, driving in center fielder CJ Snowden (South Mountain Community College). Shortstop Austin Rabago (Hendrix College) followed with a single to left field, scoring Merritt.
Sherman closed the gap in the top of the third inning when third baseman Korson Hastings (Trinity) singled to center field, bringing in first baseman Easton Ford (Redlands Community College). Hastings later scored on a wild pitch after catcher Hudson Parker (Texas Tech) advanced to third base, making it an unearned run.
The Marshals extended their lead in the bottom of the third inning with DeLeon hitting a solo homer to right center. Merritt then doubled to left center, driving in Snowden and left fielder Christian Altamirano (Adams State University), putting Fort Smith ahead 7-3.
The Shadowcats added two unearned runs in the top of the fourth inning. Sessions reached first on a fielding error, allowing shortstop Tyson Woodland (Centenary) to score. Second baseman Anderson Acinger (LSU Shreveport) grounded out to second base, enabling center fielder Sandry Hernandez (Rockies DSL) to advance to third and Sessions to score.
Fort Smith responded in the bottom of the fourth with DeLeon tripling down the right field line, scoring Schilling and Rabago. Designated hitter Tanner Callahan (University of Arkansas Fort Smith) grounded out to first base unassisted, allowing DeLeon to score, giving the Marshals a 10-5 lead.
Sherman continued to fight back in the top of the fifth inning when Woodland singled to right field, driving in left fielder Matt Herrera (Centenary). In the bottom of the sixth inning, Merritt doubled to right center, scoring DeLeon and advancing Callahan to third.
The Shadowcats added two more runs in the top of the eighth inning. Hastings singled to right field, bringing in Ford and advancing Acinger to third. Parker then hit a sacrifice fly to center field, allowing Acinger to score, making the final score 10-8.
Box Score Highlights:
Sherman Shadowcats:
Runs: 8, Hits: 9, Errors: 1
Fort Smith Marshals:
Runs: 10, Hits: 15, Errors: 0
Key Performances:
Sherman Shadowcats:
Korson Hastings (Trinity): 2-for-2, 2 RBIs, 2 BB
Ryan Sessions (Redlands Community College): 1-for-6, 2 RBIs
Fort Smith Marshals:
Keypher Contreras DeLeon (Navarro College): 4-for-4, 1 HR, 1 3B, 4 RBIs
Eli Merritt (Hastings College): 3-for-5, 4 RBIs, 3 2Bs
Next Up:
The Shadowcats will play the second game of their series against the Fort Smith Marshals on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. Sherman will aim to bounce back and secure a win to stay in playoff contention. Follow us on Twitter at @Sherman_M_A for live game updates.
