Patriots’ Playoff Hope Remains Despite Loss to Mt. Vernon || Content Sponsored by: Weezy’s

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Despite a 16-4 loss to the district champion Mt. Vernon Tigers on Friday, the Prairiland Patriots’ chances for advancing to the postseason remain solid.

Friday, the Patriots were once again their own worst enemy, committing a season high 8 errors in the field, and issuing 10 walks from the mound as Mt. Vernon jumped on the home team for 5 runs in the first inning and never looked back.

With the win, the Tigers (10-2) clinched the district championship. The 5-5 Patriots’ hopes are contingent on sweeping winless Commerce (0-10) next week.

If Prairiland wins both games, their attention turns to the Rains-Winnsboro series. If Rains sweeps Winnsboro, the Patriots advance. If Winnsboro sweeps Rains, the Patriots and Rains are tied, but Prairiland would advance based on their series win against Rains earlier this season.

However, if Rains and Winnsboro split the two-game set, it would force a winner-take-all play-in game between Prairiland and Winnsboro. The two teams split their season series earlier this year.

The Tigers’ big first inning came via 3 singles and 3 Patriots’ errors. Mt. Vernon added a run in the 3rd, three in the 4th, and two more in the 5th for an 11-0 lead, despite collecting just 3 base hits over the 4-inning stretch.

The Patriots had a burst in the bottom of the 5th inning to extend the game. Prairiland senior Dakota Berquist doubled off the left-field wall to start the Patriots’ two-out rally. After a pair of walks loaded the bases, Mason Pusateri drove in Berquist on a single to left.

Patriots’ freshman Jack Phillips added a run when an infield pop-up by Keeton Kinabrew dropped safely, leaving the bases full. Austen Gordon and Pusateri each scored on wild pitches to bring the Patriots closer at 11-4.

But three Patriots errors in the top of the 6th was all the Tigers lineup needed to push 5 more runs across and end the game early. Gordon, Pusater, Berquist and Wyatt Moore had the only hits of the Patriots. With his single, Moore has now hit safely in 8 of the Patriots’ 10 district games.

Prairiland will host Commerce Tuesday night at 7:00 at Patriots Stadium. Prior to the game, Prairiland will honor seniors, Dakota Berquist, DJ Ledbetter, Fischer Morrison, Mason Pusateri and Madox Yaross, making their final home appearance as Prairiland Patriots.