Mets hold on to win Minor League City Championship

With one out in the inning, three straight walks loaded the bases. Another walk to Braxton Draughn forced in a run before Jaxson Draughn singled in a pair of runs to make it 8-5.

Draughn took second on the throw with his younger brother stopping at third. Lane Synamon was walked intentionally to load the bases again. Thomas McGinnis then drew another base on balls to force in a run and Jaxson Draughn raced home on a wild pitch.

However, Ealy who came to the mound when winning pitcher Kipton Smith ran out of pitches early in the inning, got the strike out on a 1-2 pitch to preserve the victory.

Mets coach Casey Smith said, “We got off to a great start and then had to hold on for the win. This is just a great group of kids I have. They all bought in and we’re just one big family.

“That’s the best feeling a coach can have is when all the kids want to be here and play their very best,” he added.

Smith continued, “Kipton has battled all year. He really hung in there and threw strikes. I’m super proud of him. As a Dad coaching a kid it’s difficult. But he got down in the count sometimes and battled his way back.

“Jaxton Ealy has swung the bat well for us all year and did it again tonight,” he said.

“This was a great win for my kids and I’m just really, really proud of them.”

Pirates coach Cole Draughn said, “I thought we had some mistakes running the bases that really hurt but I was really proud of my guys.

“We didn’t have our normal lineup tonight with some people out of town, but I couldn’t have asked the kids to do much more on the field. I thought we gave a great effort.”

The Mets struck for four runs in the top of the first. Kingston Fanney and Smith had hits to start the game and Ealy delivered a two-run double. The winners added two more markers as Nathan Mills, Jayce Canuto and Maddox Bible all walked and London Looney was hit by a pitch.

Jaxson Draughn reached on an error in the bottom of the first and scored on another error to make it 4-1.

Ealy blasted a two-run triple in the second after walks to Fanney and Dryden Kaizer.

Smith struck out five straight after the Pirates scored in the first but walked Emmitt Frazier and Braxton Draughn with two out in the second and Jaxson Draughn singled in a run to chip the lead to 6-2.

However, Roman Linkous singled for the Mets in the third and Bible walked again with both scoring on wild pitches to shove the lead to six.

Smith allowed one hit before leaving with two on and one out in the third. He walked six and struck out seven in notching the mound decision over Synamon. Jaxson Draughn pitched in relief for the Pirates.

Ealy’s two hits led the Mets with Fanney, Smith and Linkous adding one safety each. Jaxson Draughn had the only two hits for the Cubs.