Twin Rivers shortstop Al Shearer gets a throw and tags Puxico's Pat Camden on Monday afternoon in Broseley. (Alex Abate/DAR) [Click to enlarge]

By ALEX ABATE ~ DAR Sports Writer

BROSELEY -- Twin Rivers got off to a 5-0 lead Monday afternoon and held off Puxico for the home win, 5-3. The Royals are 5-0 on their home field this fall.

"We have been playing better defense of late," Twin Rivers coach Denver Stuckey said. "We obviously made some errors today but we have seen improvement as the year has gone by."

After loading the bases in the sixth and coming up empty, Puxico (6-7) looked as if it might rally in the seventh as well. John Smith went with the pitch and singled to left field. Tom Cook hit a comebacker to Royals pitcher Garrett Stockton who threw to second where Al Shearer quickly got the ball to first for the double play. A strikeout ended the game.

"That double play there in the seventh was huge," Stuckey said. "I think that kind of broke their back and gave us the win."

The late double play was one of many chances that the Indians couldn't capitalize on.

"We had our chances tonight," Puxico coach Johnny Walker said. "That is where we just have to piece hits together and we can't stand there and strike out."

Puxico was down 5-0 but was able to get something going in the fifth. Pat Camden singled to right field and Skyler Moore walked. After a walk loaded the bases, Twin Rivers got a pickoff at first base and a popup and almost got out of the frame. However, John Smith doubled to score Camden and Moore and Tom Cook hit a bloop down the left field line to make it 5-3.

"We never quit, we have been real good about that this year," Walker said. "It seems like we always have to come from behind. I would love one time just to have a lead going into one of these innings and not have to come back and win it."

Twin Rivers got its runs in the first two frames. Garrett Stockton started with a single and Cole McBroom walked. After a fly out, Al Shearer singled to center field to plate Stockton and make it 1-0. A double by Taylor Lowe made it 2-0 and a RBI groundout by Kaleb Doyle made it 3-0. Three hits and two walks helped the Royals get two more runs in the second inning.

"I really think that wood bat tournament this (past) weekend helped our guys," Stuckey said. "Just taking more controlled swings, trying to hit the ball hard, line drives and ground balls."

After the rough start, Travis Stuart righted the ship on the mound for the Indians.

"Little bloops here and there and then bad errors and then Travis settled down." Walker said. "Once he settled down, the defense took over and then we started putting the bat on the ball. It is just tough getting in a hole like that."

After the first two innings, the Royals were held hitless for the rest of the game. The Royals have got to want to finish off games, Stuckey said.

"I have told them, there is not a drill that you can do for it," Stuckey said. "I don't know if a double cheeseburger or anything you can eat can change it, it is just something you have got to have."

Stockton got the win on the mound for the Royals (7-10, 3-2) as he pitched all seven innings. He pitched four hitless innings and finished the game with four strikeouts.

"He has really established himself as a go-to pitcher," Stuckey said. "He just needed some innings and we feel good about our chances to win when he is on the mound."