Pioneers take Classic opener

Pioneer catcher Jacob Bratcher fires the ball to first in an attempt to pick off Rhea County’s Jason Walters during the first inning of Saturday morning’s game. The Pioneers defeated the Golden Eagles by a 6-1 final. (Rob Nunley photo)

Rain delayed the first two days of this weekend’s Dr Pepper Wood Bat Classic, but when the Pioneers finally were able to take the field, they did so in winning fashion.

Todd Gilley threw a one-hit complete game, and Tyler Herriman came through with three hits and a pair of RBIs as the Pioneers opened Saturday’s five-game slate with a 6-1 victory over Rhea County.

Warren County, which improved to 10-4 with Saturday morning’s victory, will play host to a twin bill today, taking on Coffee County at 2 p.m. and Sequatchie County at 4:30.

Gilley threw 4-2/3 innings of no-hit ball at the Golden Eagles Saturday, but surrendered a run in the first which gave the Pioneers an early deficit.

Rhea County leadoff man Jason Walters was hit by a pitch, and advanced when Seth Zimmerman laid down a sacrifice bunt. The Pioneers failed to cover third on the play, allowing Walters to come all the way around from first base, and he scored on a wild pitch to Heath Guinn.

Warren County answered in the bottom of the frame, however, on RBI singles from Gilley and Dylan Stephens which plated Herriman and Colby Killian, respectively.

Joshua Bratcher reached on a fielder’s choice in the second, and Kyle Mullican drew a walk, setting the stage for a two-out, two-run single from Herriman that put WCHS on top 4-1.

Stephens reached on an infield hit and scored on a Golden Eagle error in the third, and Joshua Bratcher was hit by a pitch in the fifth, coming around to score his team’s final run on a Jacob Bratcher single.

Herriman finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. He also stole a base. Killian and Stephens had two hits each, while Jacob Bratcher, Gilley and Mullican had the Pioneers’ other hits.

On the mound, Gilley’s only charged hit was a two-out single from Jeremy Kimsey. He walked two Golden Eagles, hit two more, and struck out six on his way to the win.

Daniel Zimmerman took the loss for Rhea County, also going the distance. He allowed 10 Pioneer hits, walked two men and fanned four. Five of the Pioneers’ runs were earned.

After closing out the Classic today, the Pioneers will return to District 7-AAA action Monday, with a road game against the league-leading Riverdale Warriors.

Game time is set for 6:30 p.m. in Murfreesboro.