Pioneers fall prey to Eagles

Shelbyville’s Golden Eagle baseball team rallied to win a 10-8 slugfest over the Pioneers Thursday night, batting around and scoring four runs in the sixth inning to take the lead for good.

Trailing 7-6 entering the top of the sixth, the Eagles got things going against reliever Dakota Taylor when Drew Turner led off with a single. Pinch-hitter Chase Dial also singled, and Stephon Ransom laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing both runners.

Matt Seibers brought home Turner with a game-tying sacrifice fly, and Hunter Brothers drew a walk, setting the stage for three straight RBI singles from Jordan Cooper, Shaq Thompson and Michael Watkins.

Down by three with one last chance to rally, the Pioneers loaded the bases with one out, and a Lane McCoy ground ball to short brought home Matt McColloch, pulling the home team within two. Casey Talbert walked to load the bases, but the next batter, Clint Newman, dribbled a ground ball just in front of the plate. The throw from catcher Darrell Hardison was high, but Brothers was able to haul it in and apply a tag to Newman, ending the game.

Shelbyville took a 4-0 lead in the top of the first, batting around against Pioneer starter Andy Southard, courtesy of RBIs by Seibers, Cooper, Thompson and Watkins, who connected for four hits on the night.

The Pioneers countered with six runs of their own, however, sending 11 batters to the plate. The offensive barrage included an RBI single from Newman, a two-run base hit from Justin Bouldin, an error on a Southard grounder which scored both Newman and courtesy runner Slayden Rogers and an RBI single from Zach Fisher, who had two hits in the inning.

Shelbyville added a run in the third, when Watkins got a two-out single, Hardison was hit by a pitch and Turner singled home Watkins, trimming the Pioneers’ lead to a run. The Eagles added another run in the fifth, tying the game at 6-all when Watkins doubled home Seibers, who had led off the frame with a walk.

The Pioneers retook the lead in the bottom of the fifth, as Taylor singled, Darrid Wells was hit by a pitch and both runners advanced on a Southard grounder. Fisher placed a perfect bunt, beating it out for a single while Taylor scored, putting WCHS on top 7-6.

The Pioneers will be in action at home Monday, taking on Lebanon in a District 7-AAA matchup.