Brooms came out Tuesday when the Pioneer baseball team made the trip to Crossville.
Warren County completed a sweep of Stone Memorial, winning 12-1 against the Panthers in District 6AAA play.
Jack Keele dominated on the mound, going six innings and striking out nine while allowing just one run on four hits. Braden Bottoms powered the offense with a 4-for-5 day, while Brooks Helton added four RBIs.
“We took care of business. Jack threw the ball really well,” said Warren County coach Trice Powers. “I think we can still improve some things. I thought we had a chance to end it early.
“As we move along, I think we’ll need to work on making sure we close out games when the opportunity arrives. Right now, we’re hoping to carry our momentum forward.”
Warren County (5-6) followed the same script in its first two wins over the Panthers, using big innings after slow starts to break open close games and win 10-0 and 12-2, both in five innings. On Tuesday, the Pioneers got off to a quick start.
The first five Pioneer batters reached base, with the first run coming on an error and the second scoring on an RBI single by Bottoms.
Stone Memorial was able to get out of a bases-loaded jam with an inning-ending double play, but the early scoring was just the start – and more than enough support for Keele.
Keele faced the minimum through the first three innings, only allowing a single in the third before inducing a groundball that turned into a double play. By the time Stone Memorial got its first hit, Warren County already led 7-0.
Keele helped his own cause with an RBI double in the second inning, capping a three-run frame. An error and RBI groundout by Helton helped push Warren County ahead 5-0.
After Tyler Hollingworth scored on a passed ball and Cole Estes hit a sacrifice play in the third inning, the Pioneers were up 7-0.
Stone Memorial scratched its lone run across in the fourth, aided by two Pioneer errors. Back-to-back booted balls put runners on the corners and Keele surrendered a run-scoring single before finishing the fourth with three strikeouts.
The Panthers gave Warren County three runs back in the fifth. The Pioneers took advantage of four free passes and an error to get into double digits. Helton was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and two outs to make it 10-1 after an error and Hunter Adams’ sacrifice fly plated two Pioneers.
Warren County closed out the scoring in the seventh with an RBI groundout by Helton and sac fly by Keele.
The Pioneers are slated to take part in the Warrior Spring Classic this weekend in Murfreesboro. Weather permitting, Warren County will face Smyrna on Friday at 7p.m., Summit at 12:30 p.m. Saturday and Riverdale at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Friday’s game will be played at Smyrna High School, while Saturday’s games are scheduled to be played at Riverdale.
