Eupora has season end at Hamilton

May 7, 2011

From Staff Reports

HAMILTON – Eupora starting pitcher Charles Morton had a no-hitter through five innings, but Hamilton bounced back to capture a walk-off, 3-2 win Saturday in the Class 2A playoffs.
The Lions' victory gives them the sweep in the best-of-three series, as well as a berth in the North State finals against either Mantachie or East Webster.
Eupora's season ended with a final record of 17-5.
Despite the defeat, Eagles head coach Lee Berryhill was proud of his team.
"We fought and we battled," said Berryhill. "We pitched well and played well. We threw strikes, played good defense, just struggled with the bats again."
Just one day after being shut out by Hamilton's Chase Reeves, Eupora again scuffled offensively Saturday against Lions starter Austin Earnest, pushing across just a pair of runs in the middle innings courtesy of RBIs from Collin Brister and B.G. Salley.
With the way Morton was pitching, it looked like those two runs might be all Eupora would need.
"(Morton) gave us an opportunity," said Berryhill.
Yet Hamilton battled back, securing the win with a series-clinching RBI single in the bottom of the seventh.
Though Saturday's result was unfavorable, Berryhill still looks at the 2011 season as a good one for Eupora.
"Our guys played hard," said Berryhill. "That's really all you can ask for."