Getting their work done early, the Warren County High School Pioneers blanked visiting Stone Memorial, 10-0, closing out the game after just 5 innings by run rule. Pitcher Noah Fann only allowed 1 hit.
The Pioneers grabbed an early lead after one as Colby Elkins’ sacrifice fly scored Taisei Yasunaga before retiring.
In the top of the second, the Panthers didn’t have time to sit down as it was 1-2-3 on the first three at-bats with two pop outs and one grounder.
Once the Pioneers got to the plate in the bottom of the second they would go through a rotation scoring 8 runs. With bases loaded after the Panthers put Brooks Helton on first on an error, followed by an Isaac Golden walk and a hit by Wesley Jennings, Nick Williamson’s single advanced the runners for another run, 2-0.
Ethan Smith then reached first with a ground ball, 3-0, and a Yasunaga bunt scored Jennings, 4-0.
Elkins’ next hit was a line drive to center field triple that drove in three more runs, 7-0, and the Pioneers weren’t finished there as a Lucas Rogers double drove home Elkins, 8-0, and a pop fly to center field by Isaac Golden lets Rogers cross home, 9-0, before taking their third out.
The Panthers still couldn’t come up with an answer to Fann and went out 1-2-3 again in the top of the third allowing the Pioneers to score 1 run in the bottom of the inning as Smith took first after being hit by a pitch and Elkins drove him home with a hard shot to center field, 10-0.
The fourth inning was unproductive on both sides as the Pioneers and the Panthers each went out with 3 outs on 3 at-bats.
The Pioneer defense effectively finished the game in the top of the fifth with a double play from Fann to second baseman Rogers to first baseman Jennings to retire the inning scoreless for Stone Memorial.
Elkins led Warren County to victory by driving in five runs. He went 2-for-2 at the plate. Elkins drove in runs in the first, second, and third.
Fann earned the win for the Pioneers, pitching five innings with 0 runs, one hit, 4 strikeouts and 1 walk. Warren County collected eight hits. Elkins and Jennings had 2 hits for Warren County.
Noteworthy – the Warren County Pioneers didn’t commit a single error in the field. Jennings had the highest success rate handling 5-for-5 in the field during play.
The Pioneers traveled to Rhea County on Tuesday. Results were not available at press time.