Broncos bust out the bats

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard

Brooks Palmer connects with a pitch during Tuesday’s game against Merrol Hyde Magnet School. Palmer scored the game-ending run in the sixth, as Boyd downed the Hawks 11-1. (Rob Nunley photo)

The Bronco baseball team picked up a big win Tuesday afternoon, dominating Merrol Hyde Magnet School 11-1 at the Edley Newman Field.

Catcher Brooks Palmer ended the game in the bottom of the sixth, doubling with one out then taking third and home on back-to-back wild pitches to provide the 10-run lead necessary to invoke the mercy rule.

But while Palmer’s run sealed the win, it was a big first inning that propelled the Broncos to their victory.

After retiring the Hawks without a run in the top of the first, pitcher Dillon Childers reached to start the Bronco half of the inning. An error on a pickoff attempt by MHMS catcher Collin Gundry allowed Childers to reach third, where he scored on a groundout from Casey Hertwig.

Palmer walked and scored on an Adam White base hit, then White scored when John Bryant singled to left. Dustin Curtis was hit by a pitch, and scored on a wild pitch, then David Watson, who had walked, scored on a wild pitch from MHMS reliever Sean Gilbert to give Boyd a 5-0 lead.

Childers reached to start the second, and scored when Palmer grounded out to short. Palmer came home on a base hit to right from White, and White scored on Curtis’ single to center field to give the Broncos an 8-0 advantage.

MHMS posted its only run in the third, but Boyd answered with two more in the bottom of the fourth. White and Bryant connected for back-to-back singles, and pulled off a double steal, with White scoring on an attempt to retire Bryant at second, making it a 10-1 game.

Childers went all six innings on the mound for Boyd, allowing one run and four hits. He struck out seven Hawks, and walked seven.

Boyd returns to the diamond Monday, when it hosts Mt. Juliet Christian for a 4 p.m. doubleheader.