How does a dropped popup that traveled all of about 60 feet turn into a double play? Glad you asked, because it happened Sunday during a game between the Murray State Racers and the Arkansas Razorbacks.
With the bases loaded and one out in the top of the sixth, Murray State’s Taylor Howell hit a pitch straight up into the high sky. As the ball began to plummet toward the pitcher’s mound, the second-base umpire made the signal for an infield fly, noting that Howell was the second out of the inning.
But always remember: Runners can advance at their own risk on an infield fly. Murray State’s Carson Garner, dancing off of third base, took that risk and darted for home once he saw the ball evade the glove of Arkansas third baseman Jared Sprague-Lott and hit the mound.
The ball, however, bounced off the bump and headed directly toward catcher Mason White near the plate. Garner suddenly found himself in no man’s land and ultimately on the wrong end of an inning-ending 2-6-1 putout at the dish.
That is one way to get out of a jam. And it proved crucial for the No. 2-ranked Razorbacks, who went on to win, 5-3.