Monday night massacre: Tullhoma tallies 22 to whip Warren Co.
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Monday night, the rest of the Wildcats got into the act.
Tullahoma batted around in each of the first three innings, and made short work of Warren County on the way to a 22-1 pounding.
Morris, who pitched a no-hitter against the Pioneers in their season opener, got it done from the plate Monday, finishing 2-for-4 with two runs scored and six RBIs, including a grand slam which capped off a 10-run Wildcat second inning.
All nine Wildcats came to the plate in the first, getting to Pioneer starter Jared Qualls for five runs, none of which were earned. The damage came after Qualls got ground-ball outs from Tullahoma’s first two batters, but Morris, batting in the No. 3 spot, slapped a grounder to first which Dylan Stephens was unable to handle.
A walk and four straight hits later, the Pioneers found themselves quickly down 5-0.
Qualls gave up three hits to start the second, and was lifted with one out in favor of reliever Tyler Daniel, who served up a ground-rule double to the first batter he faced, Tripp Hess. Daniel finished the second, but not before allowing seven more runs, including Morris’ slam.
Hess led off the third with a solo homer to right, and two walks and a single loaded the bases before the Pioneers brought on Coty Grissom — their third pitcher of the day. Control problems plagued Grissom early, however, and a hit batsman sandwiched between two more bases-on-balls made it a 21-1 ballgame.
Morris struck again before the night was complete, doubling to center field against Grissom and scoring on a John Shelton sacrifice fly.
The lopsided score allowed both coaches to clear their benches, and every player available from both teams saw action.
The Pioneers’ lone run came in the second, when Joey Haston led off with a single to left, took third on a single from Stephens and scored on an infield hit from Josh Bratcher.
Warren County went without a hit for the next two innings, until Jordan Underhill singled up the middle with one out in the fifth. Zach Minton followed Underhill, and hit a liner to first on the first pitch he saw from Wildcat reliever Scott Miller. John Castille fielded the ball, and stepped on first for a double play, ending the game via the five-inning mercy rule.
Qualls was charged with the loss, allowing a total of eight runs (three earned) on seven hits and a walk. He struck out one batter. Daniel was charged with 11 runs, and gave up six hits and five walks through just 2/3 of an inning. Grissom pitched the final two innings, giving up three earned runs on four hits. He walked two batters and hit one.
Rob Curlee got the win for the Wildcats, giving up three hits and the Pioneers’ only run. He struck out four before being relieved by Ben Walker, who fanned all three Pioneers he faced. Wildcat pitchers struck out seven straight Pioneer batters through the second, third and fourth innings.
The Pioneers (10-13, 4-4 district) return to District 7-AAA action tonight, when they play host to Oakland. First pitch at Patrick Ramsey Field is set for 6:30.