In their second matchup in two days, the WCHS Pioneers made short work of Stone Memorial, this time in Crossville, defeating the Panthers in five innings, 11-0, their second run-rule romp of the week.
Just Monday night at Patrick Ramsey Field, the Pioneers blanked Stone, 10-0, in five as well.
On the mound Tuesday for the Pioneers (4-3, 3-1) was Brooks Helton, who didn’t allow a single run in the contest and gave up just 1 hit with 7 strikeouts.
“We got off to a slow start but we kept at it and put them away late,” said WCHS Pioneer coach Adam Childs. “I was proud of how we took care of business. It’s always great to get a district sweep.”
Warren County started early with runs in both the top of the first and third innings, but it was a fourth-inning rally that raised the total tally to 10-0 as the Pioneers scored 8 runs to cement a solid foundation that left the Panthers with no answers.
Up 2 runs in the top of the fourth, the Panther pitcher walked Nick Williamson who was replaced by courtesy runner Tyler Prater who promptly stole second. Ethan Smith reached first base on balls and a bunt by shortstop Taisei Yasunaga loaded the bases. Prater then scored off a fielder’s choice bunt by Cole Estes, 4-0.
Yasunaga scored on a passed ball, as did Estes, 6-0, all on what ends up as a walk for Pioneer Lucas Rogers. After a failed pickoff attempt by the Panthers, Rogers stole second base and Helton hit a fly ball that was mishandled by the centerfielder allowing Rogers to cross home, 7-0. A sacrifice grounder to first by Isaac Golden scored Helton, 8-0, as the Pioneers continued in the inning with 2 outs.
First baseman Wesley Jennings walked, and Stone changed pitchers. Two more runs would score for the 10-0 lead.
In the bottom of the fourth, Stone Memorial couldn’t get anything working, as Helton faced 4 batters, with 1 walk, 1 strikeout and two outs in the field, a grounder to first baseman Jennings and a pop fly which was handled by Golden in centerfield.
The Pioneers scored 1 run in the fifth to get the 11-0 victory.
Elkins led the Warren County Pioneers with three RBIs going 2-for-3 on the day. Yasunaga, Estes, Helton and Williamson all had hits for the Pioneers. Williamson had 2 RBIs and Estes, Helton and Golden had 1 RBI.
Notable district statistics: Pioneer Cole Estes is tied with Rhea County’s Cameron Wilkerson at third with a .467 batting average. Warren County’s Colby Elkins and Estes lead the district’s RBI totals with 8 and 6, respectively, and pitcher Trevor Collins tops the list of strikeouts in the district with 7 along with Stone Memorial’s Kris Erazo.
The Pioneers traveled to DeKalb County Thursday night. Results were not available at press time.
The next home game for the Pioneers will be Saturday at 2:30 p.m. when Warren County plays host to Hixson.