GRAY – Zach Cantor led off the fourth inning with a home run and Nick Derice added a two-run single during the four-run uprising to break the game open and give Gray a 9-4 triumph over Andy Valley in American Legion baseball action Thursday.

Ben Boulet’s two-run homer gave Andy Valley a quick 2-0 advantage, but Lucas Chase drove in two runs with a double to highlight Gray’s three-run response in the first. After Andy Valley (4-14) cut the deficit to 5-4 in the fourth, Cantor’s blast fueled Gray’s big inning off losing pitcher Dan Danforth.

Chase scattered seven hits and struck out six to improve his record to 3-1 for Gray (14-4).

NAL finishes off Gayton

AUBURN – Kevin Smith scampered home on a Corey Larue sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift New Auburn to a 6-5 win over Gayton in a continued game origainally postponed by darkness on July 3.

Smith reached on a single, went to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a fielder’s choice before Larue skied the ball to left field, allowing the speedy infielder time to get home.

Adam Lutz pitched the ninth inning – the only inning played Thursday – to earn the win on the hill.

Gayton’s Eddie West picked up where he left off on the mound for the visitors, and took the loss.

Devin Flynn and Casey Parker each had three hits for New Auburn.