Pioneers power past Lebanon-Talbert drives in 5 runs as WCHS completes sweep

The Pioneer baseball team scored its second District 7-AAA sweep of the year Tuesday, jumping out to an early lead on the way to a 9-2 victory at Lebanon.

Second baseman Casey Talbert finished with two hits and five RBIs, connecting for a two-run single in the top of the first and a bases-loaded double in the second inning.

Zach Fisher and Justin Bouldin also had two hits apiece, with Bouldin’s two-run double to the right-center gap and Kyle Mullican’s follow-up RBI double to left putting the exclamation point on the Pioneer victory.

Tyler Gilley pitched his way to the complete-game victory, allowing just two unearned runs on three hits while balancing two walks against nine strikeouts, including three straight in the bottom of the seventh to end the game.

The loss went to Lebanon’s Garrett Fanchier, who pitched two innings and gave up six runs on six hits before being relieved by Callen Harrell.

Fisher and Lane McCoy struck for back-to-back singles to start Tuesday’s game, coming home when Talbert singled to the gap in right-center. Bouldin’s one-out hit moved Talbert to third, and an RBI sacrifice from Mullican gave WCHS a quick 3-0 lead.

With two out in the second, Warren County’s Darrid Wells was hit by a pitch, and Fisher followed with another single before McCoy was also plunked by Fanchier, loading the bases for Talbert, who drilled a double to left field to plate all three runners.

The Blue Devils struck for their first run of the game in the bottom of the inning, when Daniel Harrison drew a one out walk and later scored on a throwing error. Lebanon struck again in the bottom of the third, when with two outs Chase Hudson and Brent Morris singled, with a throwing error after Morris’ hit allowing Hudson to come home.

Gilley and the Pioneers worked quickly after that inning, retiring the Devils in order in the fourth, sixth and seventh frames. The WCHS offense added some insurance in the top of the seventh, with Bouldin doubling home McCoy and Talbert, then scoring on Mullican’s hit.

The Pioneers improved to 10-18 overall with Tuesday’s win, and are tied with Blackman for fifth place in the district standings at 5-7. WCHS and Blackman face off this Saturday and Sunday, in the final district series of the year for both teams.