Pioneers top undefeated Riverdale to split series
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With the win, Warren County upped its district mark to 4-2, and improved to 13-5 overall. The Pioneers have won nine of their last 10 games.
Riverdale, which entered the game undefeated in league play and on the heels of a 2-1 victory over the Pioneers from Monday night, fell to 5-1 in the district and 14-8 overall. Cookeville, which improved to 6-0 with its Tuesday win over Lebanon, now leads the Warriors by one game and the Pioneers by two.
Catcher Jacob Bratcher, who scored the Pioneers’ first run Tuesday night and drove in the game-winner with a two-run double in the fifth, said playing as a team was the biggest key to Warren County’s success.
“We started taking pitches, getting runners on base, and moving them into scoring position,” the junior said. “This is a big win, and puts us in a good position in the district.”
Bratcher reached on an error to lead off the bottom of the first, and stole second before moving to third on a Colby Killian groundout. He scored on a wild pitch to Todd Gilley, putting the Pioneers on top 1-0.
Riverdale answered with a run in the top of the second, as Justin Jones doubled to lead off the frame and scored on a line-drive single from Chason Choate.
Dylan Stephens led off the Pioneer second with a single, was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Coty Grissom, and scored on a two-out single from Josh Bratcher.
Riverdale loaded the bases with nobody out in the fourth, thanks to a Jones single, an error by shortstop Tyler Herriman and a Choate walk. But Killian escaped without giving up a big inning, getting Trice Powers to pop up in the infield and fanning Cody Harrell. He walked Cody Harrell, plating Jones to tie the game at 2-2, but a fly ball to center from Dusty Gill ended the threat.
After being retired in order in the fourth, the Pioneers got things going in the bottom of the fifth, when Josh Bratcher and Jordan Powers drew back-to-back walks with one out in the inning, setting the stage for Jacob Bratcher’s two-run double to deep center field.
Riverdale managed one hit in the sixth, and had runners at second and third in the top of the seventh, but Killian fanned Pleas Wright to end the game, upping his personal record to 3-0 with the win.
Killian allowed seven hits and four walks in his complete-game effort, striking out five Warriors. Only one of Riverdale’s runs was earned.
Choate took the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) and just three hits over five innings. He walked two and struck out three. Coty Woods came on for an inning of no-hit relief.
The Pioneers will play host to Tullahoma tonight, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. They’ll begin their next district series Saturday, when Blackman comes to town for a 4:30 tilt. The second game of the series is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday at Blackman.