No matter how many games the Pioneers play, they never seem to tire.
Warren County, playing its second doubleheader in as many nights Thursday, powered past Franklin County for a pair of wins on its home field. Hunter Adams had a game-inning, extra-inning single in a 2-1 victory before the Pioneers blew out the Rebels 10-0 in the second game.
Playing multiple games in a day has become second nature for the Pioneers. Thursday was the seventh time Warren County has played twice in a day, though it was the first time sweeping both outings. The victories pushed the Pioneers to double-digit wins at 10-15 overall.
Adams came through in the clutch to give the Pioneers the first win. Strolling to the plate with two outs and runners on second and third, Adams was able to fire a shot up the middle in the bottom of the eighth.
Franklin County’s second baseman was able to get a glove on the ball on a diving attempt, but he had no chance of throwing out Adams at first. The Pioneers poured out of the dugout to meet Adams, who came out of the night with a five-game hitting streak.
Trace Adcock started the rally in the eighth, going the other way with a shot over third base. Ryland Holder joined him on the base paths with a blast through the 5-6 hole. Brooks Helton moved both into scoring position with a hard grounder.
The victory went to Braden Bottoms, who entered in the fifth inning and was spotless in relief. John Garrett pitched the first five innings, allowing a lone run in the second inning.
Holder finished with a team-high two hits, helping his average raise to .392. The sophomore is second on the team in batting average and RBIs (22), trailing Helton (.451, 27 RBIs) in both categories.
Adams’ lone hit was the game’s biggest, while Adcock, Helton and Omari Harris also had one hit each.
Heath Kuykendall tied the game in the fourth inning, taking home on a wild pitch after entering as a courtesy runner following a two-out single by Holder.
Warren County wouldn’t need an extra inning in the second game.
The Pioneers plated seven runs in the first inning, setting the tone for the blowout. Helton started the offensive explosion, drilling a two-run single after a pair of walks and an Adcock single to start the game.
Ethan Smith, who began the frame with a lead-off walk, came back to rip a two-run single to make it 7-0. Warren County also scored two runs on groundouts and another on a wild pitch in the first inning.
Spotted a big lead, three Pioneers combined to shut out the Rebels. Garrett pitched the first inning before turning it over to Adcock - the winning pitcher - for four innings. Kuykendall pitched the final two innings. The trio combined to allow just five hits while striking out five.
Will Cantrell put an abrupt end to the second contest in the sixth. Coming to bat with the bases loaded and his team leading 8-0, the senior stroked a shot into centerfield. Adcock scored with ease while Holder, who had an RBI single in the frame, beat the throw home to end the game.
The Pioneers were hoping to play a fifth game in four days Saturday at home against Lebanon. Scores were unavailable at press time.
Warren County will start a two-game series with District 6AAA rival Stone Memorial Monday in Crossville. The Panthers will make the return trip Tuesday. Both games are scheduled to start at 6 p.m.
