Junior varsity takes advantage of shaky starter
The Pioneer junior varsity won a “wild” one Monday afternoon, downing Lincoln County’s JV 5-3.
Taking advantage of control problems from the Falcons’ starting pitcher, Warren County drew three straight walks to start the game, and scored its first two runs on wild pitches to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first.
The Falcons had gone ahead in the top of the frame, when a leadoff single and a double off Pioneer starter Justin Bouldin had been followed by a sacrifice fly to center field.
The Pioneers plated their final three runs in the third inning of the five-inning game, with Casey Talbert getting things going by reaching on an error then scoring on a wild pitch. Clint Newman followed with a single, and with one out Josh Moore delivered a hit to center, scoring Newman.
Moore himself came in on a misplayed grounder off Bouldin’s bat, putting WCHS on top 5-1.
Lincoln County threatened a rally in the top of the fifth, with a two-run single with one out making it a 5-3 game, but Bouldin retired the Falcon’s next two batters, striking out one and coaxing a fly ball out of the other to end the contest.
Bouldin worked all five innings, giving up six hits and two walks while fanning two batters. Two of the Falcons’ three runs were earned.
Bouldin, Moore and Newman had the Pioneers’ only hits.
The Pioneer JV is scheduled to accompany the varsity to Cumberland County Thursday. Game time is set for 4 p.m.