SPORTS

Niceville wins the battle of the Methodist

TINA HARBUCK

Niceville United Methodist Church won the championship of the Upper Division in the Church Softball League at Destin's Morgan's Sports Center.

Tyler Dutton knocked in six runs to lead Niceville United Methodist Church in a 25-12 win over Destin United Methodist Church in the championship game of the Church Softball Upper Division Tournament in Destin.

Dutton belted a triple, two doubles and two singles for six RBIs.

At the end of two innings, the game was tied at 5-5. In the top of the third, Niceville began to pull away with three runs, then picked up seven more in the fourth for a 15-8 advantage.

Steve Schutt doubled and hit four singles for an RBI for Niceville, while Ryan Olin connected for four singles for four RBIs.

Drew Pinkerly hit four singles for two RBIs for Destin. Mitch Speed and Cleve Daniels each hit three singles for two RBIs.

In earlier tournament action:

• Destin United Methodist Church 16, Destiny Worship Center-Pike 14

After trailing for four innings, DUMC put 13 runs on the board in the fifth to pull off the win.

Andrew McLendon hit four singles for DUMC for two RBIs. Jon Clark clobbered two homers for four RBIs, and Drew Pinckerly doubled and hit two singles for an RBI. Brandon Patzig and David Nelson each hit home runs.

Joseph Pike smacked a home run and three singles for three RBIs for DWC-Pike. Michael Haynes tripled, doubled and hit two singles for two RBIs, and Brian Parkton hit two singles for an RBI.

• Niceville UMC 15, Iron Men 11

With the game tied at 5-5 at the end of three, Niceville exploded with seven runs in the fourth.

Tyler Dutton hit two doubles and two singles for three RBIs for Niceville. Eric Welton hit two doubles and a single for three RBIs, and Jordan Mathers batted three singles for an RBI.

Top batters for Iron Men were Keith Wildes, Harry Mandel and Chris Poole.

• DWC-Pike 24, Rocky Bayou Baptist 10

Pike scored 12 runs in the second and put the game away in five innings.

Michael Haynes cranked out a homer, two doubles and two singles for four RBIs for Pike. Zach Newman homered, doubled and hit two singles for three RBIs, and Kurt Haynes hit three singles. Joseph Pike and Ryan Grandstaff each knocked out home runs.

Dan Wilcoxen doubled and hit two singles for an RBI for Rocky Bayou. Rob Privette hit three singles and Chris Johnson doubled and singled for an RBI. Kyle Olson hit home run.