Cardinals Win Back And Forth Battle VS Bear Lake

Jody Reeves

The Soda Springs Cardinal baseball team was back in action last Friday when they hosted district rival the Bear Lake Bears.  This game was a battle as there were several lead changes and scoring stretches for each team.  As things got underway, the Bears drew first blood batting in three scores in the top of the first inning.  The Cardinals first at bat was short lived as three out of the first four batters failed to get on base, sending Soda back to the outfield to play defense.  In the top of the second the Cardinals answered back on defense, sending three of four Bears batters back to the dugout without getting on base.  

This pattern continued through the top of the third inning.  In the bottom of the third the Cards finally got some things going on offense.  Kirby scored the first run for Soda and was followed by Bowen, McCullough, and T. Stephens, giving the Cardinals their first lead 4-3.  

The lead was short lived, as the Bears knocked in three runs in the top of the fourth and regain the lead 6-4.  The Bears threatened to extend their lead in the top of the fifth, but some tough pitching by McCullough held the Bears scoreless in the inning.  In the bottom of the fifth, Dunford and Irick scored on a base hit by R. Stephens.  Shortly after, Dillworth and R. Stephens also scored, giving the Cardinals the lead back at 8-6.  In the top of the sixth inning, the Bears managed to get several hits, but only converted one run, allowing Soda to hold the lead at 8-7.  In the bottom of the inning, the bats came alive again for the Cardinals.  McCullough started things off in the inning with a single to right field.  T. Stephens then singled, putting runners on the corners.  Dunford stepped up to the plate and boomed a big triple, sending McCullough and T. Stephens home.  R. Stephens would get a single himself, allowing Dunford to score and bringing the inning to an end with the Cardinals holding a lead at 11-7 entering the final inning.  The Bears mounted a small comeback attempt in the top of the seventh, closing the lead to just a single run at 11-10.  With a runner on third the final out came when shortstop T.Stephens picked up a ground ball and threw the runner out at first base.  The Cardinals came away with a thrilling victory.

The Cardinals will finish off the regular season this week with Malad at home on Wednesday before traveling to Bear Lake on Friday for a rematch with the Bears.