Blackman wins to sweep series: Blaze ace fans 10 Pioneer batters

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard (McMinnville, Tenn.)

Warren County’s Jacob Bratcher (34) slides into second ahead of the throw to Blackman shortstop Jeff Wilhite during the second inning of Friday’s game. Bratcher had the only Pioneer hit in a 4-1 loss to the Blaze.

The Pioneers weren’t able to split this week’s series with District 7-AAA foe Blackman.

But when Friday’s second game of the two-game set was over, WCHS coach Jimmy Walker noted he saw significant improvement over the series opener.

After losing 14-0 on Tuesday, the Pioneers held their own against the Blaze — and ace pitcher David Price — only to fall by an eventual 4-1 margin.

“We played better today,” said Walker, whose team dropped to 3-5 in district play and 9-14 overall. “We came out with a different attitude today, a lot better, and had them on the ropes for a while. We just couldn’t throw the knockout punch.”

Junior Joey Haston took the mound for the Pioneers, and was perfect for three innings before allowing single runs in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh.

“This was a well-pitched game,” Walker said. “Price is always tough, and Joey came out and threw the ball well for us.”

Haston allowed nine Blackman hits, walked one batter and fanned eight. All four Blaze runs were earned.

Price fanned 10 Pioneers in picking up the win, giving up just one hit, a Jacob Bratcher single with two out in the second. Warren County’s only run of the game came in that inning, as well, when Derek Kennamer reached on an error to lead off the inning then scored when an attempt to catch him stealing second sailed into center field.

After retiring the Blaze in order on their first trip through the lineup, Haston ran into a bit of trouble in the fourth inning, and gave up a leadoff single to Ahmir Watkins. Watkins stole second, took third on a passed ball and scored on a Josh Andru grounder to tie the game at 1-1.

Tommy Christianson singled with one out in the fifth, moved to second on a balk and eventually scored on a Jason Amburgey sacrifice fly.

In the sixth, Price led off with a walk, and pinch-runner Jonte Haggons stole second, took third on an error and scored on a wild pitch to give Blackman a 3-1 lead.

The Blaze’s fourth and final run came in the top of the seventh, as Watkins singled, stole second and third, and scored on Price’s infield single.

With the win, Blackman improved to 12-7 overall and 5-1 in district play. The Blaze are currently tied with Riverdale for first place in the league standings.

The Pioneers traveled to Crossville this weekend for a wood bat tournament, and head to Knoxville Thursday for a three-day tourney.