Pleimann returns to form

Miller Pleimann didn't let a bad game from last week linger. Pleimann pitched a complete-game three-hitter to lead Fayetteville to a 3-2 victory over Springdale on Monday in 7A-West Conference action at the Tyson Complex. Grant Southerland provided run support with a home run and run-scoring single for Fayetteville (14-12, 9-2), which leads the conference standings. Pleimann was roughed up during a 7-2 loss to Springdale Har-Ber last week. But the junior right-hander returned to form with a strong performance against Springdale, which placed runners in scoring position the last three innings. "Miller was rusty last week, and that was our fault after we shut him down for a bit," Fayetteville coach Scott Gallagher said. "But he was back to being the guy who's pitched so well for us all year. He had command of his fastball and really had all three pitches going for him." It was another close loss for Springdale (12-12, 4-7), which had opportunities to tie or take the lead in the late innings. Springdale had runners on first and third in the fifth when Pleimann struck out No. 3 hitter Ben Roberts to end the inning. Springdale looked like it was going to tie the game in the seventh when Michael Harrington lined a pitch headed toward left field. But shortstop Hayes Cox leaped and caught the ball for the end to an exciting game. "It's been that way for us all year," Springdale coach Scott Johnson said. "We've faced a lot of adversity. But if we keep playing and coming out to the ballpark with a positive attitude, some of those breaks are eventually going to go our way." Both teams scored early before the game evolved into a strong pitching matchup between Pleimann and Tyler Turner for Springdale. Southerland hit a home run to right field and Barrett Banister added a one-out single in the first inning. Springdale answered with two runs with the help of an error, a single by Andrew Roach and a double from Ryne Whitaker. Fayetteville regained the lead and held on a two-out single by Southerland in the second inning. Springdale will travel to Fayetteville today for a rematch.

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PLEIMANN RETURNS TO FORM

RICK FIRES

Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette | 4/25/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Anthony Reyes