For the first three innings April 9, Mangham and Oak Grove traded zeros in a game that felt like it was waiting on someone to make the first move.
When the Dragons finally struck, they did it with force.
Mangham cracked open a scoreless tie in the fourth inning, then erupted for nine runs in the fifth to seal a 10–0 run rule victory — a finish that looked nothing like the tense, quiet opening frames.
What began as a patient, disciplined effort at the plate turned into a full-throttle offensive surge. Mangham worked deep counts early, refusing to chase and steadily wearing down Oak Grove’s pitching.
Once the lineup turned over a second time, the Dragons found their rhythm. Walks, hit by pitches, and timely contact stacked together until the inning snowballed into a nine run avalanche.
On the mound, senior right hander Blake Pierce set the tone long before the offense caught fire. Pierce delivered a dominant one hit shutout, striking out six and allowing just three walks in a five inning complete game. He faced only 18 batters and never allowed Oak Grove to settle in.
Pierce also contributed to the scoring, reaching base, driving in a run and crossing the plate twice during Mangham’s late surge.
The Dragons’ offense spread the production around.
Evan Barton led the team with two hits, while Colby Casey, Carson Mooney and Lane Wiggins each added a hit and an RBI. Reggie Roberson chipped in an RBI and a sacrifice fly and Nolan Gandy drove in another run. Aggressive baserunning kept pressure on Oak Grove throughout, with steals from Brody Hutson, Casey and Roberson.
Defensively, Mangham backed Pierce with clean, confident play, finishing the night without an error.
Head Coach Ridge Heisler said the game unfolded exactly the way he hopes his team will continue to play.
“It was good to see Blake do Blake things,” Heisler said. “He came out and started the game pounding the strike zone. When you fill the zone up as Blake does, your opponent is going to put the ball in play, and when that happens, you must be able to make plays. I thought we played really good defense.”
Heisler also praised the team’s approach at the plate, especially in two-strike situations.
“I really liked how we saw three or more pitches in several of our atbats after we got two strikes. Brody especially – that dude came up and worked the count and saw six pitches in all three at bats.”
And when Oak Grove faltered late, Mangham was ready.
“They put a few of us on, and Colby came up big and blew the gates wide open.”
With the win, Mangham showcased the full package – poise early, power late, and a pitching performance that never wavered.
