Last Friday the Charles Henderson Trojans let the Carroll Eagles hang around for 10 innings, but on Monday the Trojans made short work of Carroll. The Trojans used a 13-run fifth inning to crush the Eagles 18-3 in Ozark and end the game by mercy rule after five innings.

“This one was very important because everyone is trying to get to the playoffs and we did that today,” CHHS head coach Derek Irons said. “Hopefully this sparks us to play well for the rest of the season.”

The win Monday guaranteed the Trojans (19-9, 4-0 AHSAA Class 5A, Area 3) a spot in the 5A playoffs. They face the Rehobeth Rebels (3-1 in area play) Thursday and Friday and the winner will take home the area crown.

The Trojans opened the scoring in the first inning with one run, but Carroll took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the inning. CHHS took a 4-2 lead in the third inning and Carroll cut the lead to 4-3.

That was as close as the Eagles got, as the Trojans added one run in the fourth and 13 in the fifth inning for the win.

Parker Sanders led the way for the Trojans, going 5-for-5 with three doubles, three RBIs and two runs scored. K.D. Edenfield, Dario Rouse, Mitch McLeod, Nathan Barron, Jake Smith and David Fleming each went 2-for-4. Fleming had three RBIs and Rouse had two RBIs.

Fleming also pitched a complete game for the win, allowing three runs on eight hits, striking out six batters and walking one.