Defense and youth were the problems as Choctaw County dropped 12-2 and 20-2 games against South Pontotoc.
“We have pitched well enough the past month to be in some games. My pitchers have done really well,” said coach Andy Young, “We haven't played well enough behind them. Our defense has let us down.”
In the 12-2 game, the Chargers scored twice in the top of the fourth for a 2-1 lead. South Pontotoc retook the lead with two in the bottom of the fourth, scored twice in the fifth, then closed out the game out with seven runs in the sixth.
Justin Jenkins had a double and homer for Choctaw County, but the Chargers committed seven errors. Eli Allen and Carson Newell homered for South Pontotoc.
The second South Pontotoc game was 1-1 after an inning before South Pontotoc broke the game open with seven runs in the second.
“We're young and we're going to make these mistakes,” Young said. “We will be a lot better next year. Brighter days are definitely ahead of us.”
Choctaw County has been eliminated from playoff contention and can finish no better than fifth in Region 4-3A. “It's the first time in I think 16 years that I have not made the playoffs. That's tough to hear,” Young said.
South Pontotoc leads the region with a 7-1 record and is the fifth ranked 3A team in the state according to the website MaxPreps.
The Chargers had a doubleheader with Aberdeen scheduled for Tuesday and will conclude the season with home games Friday and Saturday against Eupora and Nanih Waiya.
A game with New Hope last week was rained out and will not be made up.
