During a break in the rain delays that have coaches juggling schedules like circus performers, the Warren County Middle School Pioneers took advantage of the great weather Tuesday night to play host to conference opponent Franklin County South’s Trojans in a doubleheader.
While the weather was ideal for baseball, the Pioneers (11-1, 7-0) stormed to a doubleheader victory shutout, 12-0 and 9-0, leaving them still undefeated in the conference.
“It was a full team effort,” said WCMS Pioneer head coach Chad Young. “We are ate up with injuries, but our boys stepped up and got the job done. We got 21 runs on 20 hits in two games. We only gave up 2 hits in the first game and the pitchers combined to throw a no-hitter in the second game.”
“Right now, for the season, our pitching staff has a combined ERA of 1.53 and opponent’s batting average is .090 having faced 357 batters so far this year while our team has a batting average of .312 averaging a little over 7 runs a game,” Young said. “What else could I ask for? We want to keep this momentum going and tighten the screws down these last few weeks. We have to stay humble and never underestimate any opponent.”
Game 1
Warren County 12
Franklin South 0
The Pioneers took a couple innings to warm up, scoring just 1 of their 12 runs in the first three innings, 1-0. Warren County didn’t have to worry however, as on the mound for the Pioneers as starting pitcher was Omari Harris, who threw for 4 innings, giving up 2 hits, 0 runs with 6 strikeouts, earning him the win.
Ryland Holder came in for relief and threw for 2 innings with 0 hits and 1 strikeout.
Keeping the Trojans almost hitless and not making any errors kept the Pioneers on the path to a victory rally which they did in the fourth, recycling the lineup as the team scored 8 runs for a 9-0 lead after four.
The game stayed static until the sixth when Warren County runners crossed the dish for 3 more runs, 12-0, before ending the ballgame. The Pioneers scored 12 runs off 10 hits. Hit leaders for Warren County were Wyatt Wilson going 2-for-4 with 3 RBIs, and Braden Bottoms, 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs,
Players getting 1 hit in the contest were, Kason Holder (1 RBI), Ryland Holder (1 RBI), Westen Wilson (1 RBI), Alec Hobbs (3 RBIs), Ty Martin (1 RBI) and John Garrett (1 RBI).
Game 2
Warren County 9
Franklin South 0
In the second game of the twilight doubleheader, Franklin County South couldn’t get any runners out on the diamond, as the combined pitching staff of the Pioneers threw a no-hitter after giving up only 2 hits in game one.
Taking the mound as starting pitcher was Westen Wilson, who threw for 4 inning with 0 hits and 7 strikeouts, earning the win. Braden Bottoms came in for middle relief and pitched a perfect inning with 0 hits and 1 strikeout while John Garrett tossed the last two innings with 0 hits and 3 strikeouts.
The Pioneers spread out their offense in game two, earning 3 runs in the third, 5 runs in the fourth and 1 run in the fifth.
The Pioneers picked up 9 runs off 10 hits. Hit leaders for the Pioneers were, Kason Holder 2-for-3 with 1 RBI, Wyatt Wilson 2-for-2, and Westen Wilson 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs.
Braden Bottoms, John Garrett, Ty Martin (1 RBI) and Alec Hobbs all had 1 hit each.
The Pioneers travel to White County on Monday, April 10. Game time is 5 p.m.
