Starter Givonni Dent’s grand slam leads way in Trinity win

Published 11:21 pm Friday, April 16, 2010

FERRIDAY — Trinity pitcher Givonni Dent wasn’t getting the run support he was accustomed to from his offense in the Saints’ District 6-A tournament semifinal game against Tensas Academy.

So he decided to do something about it.

With Trinity up 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning, Dent launched a grand slam over the right-center field fence to put the game away in an eventual 11-1 Trinity victory.

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“Givonni’s grand slam was the key tonight,” Trinity coach Mitch Ashmore said. “That kind of popped the game open.”

Dent has some extra motivation on his home run as Tensas intentionally walked Jake Winston in front of him to load the bases with two outs.

“As soon as (the Tensas coach) said put him on, I thought, ‘I like this.’” Dent said. “I knew I had to step up and do something big.”

Dent’s home run made the score 7-1 and he made sure it would stand up as he set down the Chiefs in order in the top of the fifth inning.

Trinity then scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to end the game via the 10-run mercy rule.

Daniel Dunaway scored the first run of the inning on a passed ball and another run scored on an error.

Kent King drove in the next run with a double and Winston ended the game with a run-scoring single to center field.

“We started off a little sluggish with the bats tonight,” Ashmore said. “But I like to tell the guys that swinging the bat well comes and goes. Pitching, defense and hustle are every day things. We need to do those things well in every game.”

Trinity (15-5) advances to the championship game of the tournament at 1:30 p.m. today.

The Saints will play the winner of the 11 a.m. elimination game between Tensas Academy and Huntington.

Huntington defeated Tallulah Academy 18-8 Friday afternoon to stay alive and advance to Saturday.

Trinity has guaranteed itself a spot in the state playoffs, as the top two teams from each district advance.

Ashmore said he is pleased with the way his team is taking care of business in the district tournament, but he is ready to get it over with today and advance to state.

“We’re doing our jobs and winning the games we have to win,” Ashmore said. “It’s important for us to stay focused. We’re looking to get it done and move on.”