Palmyra’s Miller slams door on Clopton’s rally, secures one-run victory

CLARKSVILLE, Mo. — Reason Miller showed the grit a reliever needs.

After the Palmyra baseball team scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning Monday to build a three-run lead over Clopton, the Hawks scored twice with one out and had the bases loaded with the bottom of the order due up.

That’s when Miller bore down. He induced an infield popup from Cam Lilley and then struck out Luke Grillo to end Palmyra’s 8-7 victory.

The Panthers (14-9) scored five runs in the top of the first inning, highlighted by Rylan Compton’s RBI triple. However, Palmyra didn’t score the next five innings and went to the seventh tied at 5.

Everything changed on the second pitch. Logan Kroeger led off the inning with a home run to center field. Colby Jones followed with a single, Ty Haskins walked and Brodie Webb singled to plate a run. Tyler Spicknall’s single drove in the third run of the inning and what proved to be the winning run.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, the Hawks used back-to-back doubles followed by back-to-back singles to plate two runs. Another single loaded the bases before Miller wriggled out of the jam.

Compton went 3 for 4, while Miller and Jones each had two hits. Four Palmyra pitchers combined to allow five earned runs and strike out five batters.