The Warren County Middle School baseball team continued its winning ways Tuesday night, defeating the White County Warriors 7-3.
With the win, the Pioneers improved their record to 11-0 and stand alone atop the standings with a game against Franklin North looming next week.
Ryland Holder had a 2-for-4 night with two RBI. Jack Keele earned the win on the mound, going three innings and striking out four Warrior batters.
“We didn’t play our best ball tonight and we have to pick it up. We are going to have to practice hard the rest of the week to get ready for Franklin North,” said Pioneer head coach Chad Young.
On remaining undefeated Young said, “I’m proud of our guys, they fought hard tonight, but the most important game is the next.”
The Warriors scored two runs in the top of the first inning, capturing the momentum on the road, 2-0. The Pioneers had an answer for the Warriors scoring in the bottom of the inning, scoring runs of their own thanks to an RBI on a Warrior error and an RBI single by Will Rivers, 2-2, after one.
After the Warriors failed to untie the game in the top of the second, the Pioneers took advantage, scoring a run in the bottom of the inning from another Warrior error, 3-2. Both teams didn’t see a runner cross the plate in the third, keeping the score, 3-2.
Kason Holder entered in the top of the fourth and shut down the Warriors quickly and the Pioneers blew the game wide open in the bottom of the inning. Trace Adcock scored on an RBI from Omari Harris to start the four-run inning by the Pioneers.
That was followed by an RBI double by Keele, an RBI single by Ryland Holder, and an RBI sacrifice fly by Rivers, 7-2. That was all of the scoring the Pioneers needed, as the Warriors only managed to score one more run the rest of the way and the Pioneers ultimately won, keeping their streak alive, 7-3.
After the game Pioneer catcher Carter Mansfield said, “I think we did a good job, I just think we were a little sloppy at times.”
Mansfield on remaining undefeated said, “It feels great! We have been putting in a lot of hard work and putting in a good effort every game.”
The Pioneers will be back on the road this Saturday as they travel to Murfreesboro to take on Murfreesboro Central. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.