Dragons hosting Newcastle

Purcell will host Newcastle today (Thursday) starting at 2 p.m. for the District Championship.

The Racers are 21-7 on the year and are on an eight game winning streak.

Purcell is 9-15 on the season coming off back-to-back losses to Harrah last week in make up games from earlier in the season.

The first makeup district contest was a tight one with the Panthers narrowly edging the Dragons, 3-2.

Dayton Smith led the Purcell offense going 2-4 while Creed Smith slammed an RBI double. Titus Mason also had a double in three trips to the plate.

Brodrick Smith took the loss on the mound.

“I thought Brodrick pitched a great game,” head coach Cole Sharp said. “He controlled the strike zone all day. Harrah is a good hitting team and he did a good job of keeping them off balance.

“Overall, we played a great game against a good Harrah team. We were one timely hit away from winning that game.”

The nightcap wasn’t as close with Harrah winning 12-6.

Nate Willis, who took the loss on the bump, went 2-4 with a double.

“Nate started the game and Dayton Smith came in in relief,” Sharp said.

Creed Smith, who was 2-2 with a pair of triples and walked twice, had two RBIs.

Dayton Smith went 1-3 with an RBI. Sharp also got hits from Cade Smith, Jorge Munoz and Jayden Payne.

“Creed is hitting the ball very well for us,” the coach noted. “Overall, I am proud of our kids in both of those Harrah games. We competed and played well against a very good team.”

Purcell played Newcastle earlier this season with the Racers coming out on top, 7-2.

“They are a good, solid team,” Sharp said. “They hit the ball very well and play good defense. And, they have a good pitching staff. Coach (Mike) Crossley does a good job over there with them. He has them ready to go and play.”