Jackson Day scored Liam Kerr from third on a suicide squeeze play in the bottom of the ninth to send Hazel Dell Metro to 1-0 win over Bonnville, Mo., in its opening pool-play game at the Babe Ruth Baseball 14-Year-Old World Series in Pine Bluff, Ark.
The game remained scoreless for eight innings thanks to outstanding pitching from Sam Lauderdale and Jasper Rank. Lauderdale pitched seven innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out 12. Rank pitched the final two innings, allowing one hit and one walk with two strikeouts.
Kerr led off the bottom of the ninth with a double. Lowell Dunmire was intentionally walked and Cole Sheretz singled to load the bases, setting up Day’s game-winning bunt.
“It was a great battle,” Hazel Dell Metro manager Scott Binder said. “We left nine runners on bases, so we had some chances. But the boys executed that squeeze play perfectly for the win.”
