Mullins no-hits Sequatchie; Killian makes first start

Colby Killian delivers during the fourth inning of Friday afternoon?s game against Rhea County. Killian, making his first start on the mound of the season, allowed just one hit.

Thursday night, sophomore Josh Mullins threw a no-hitter against Sequatchie County, while his offense posted nine runs in the sixth on the way to a 10-0 win. And on Friday, senior Colby Killian came within a bunt single of making it back-to-back ?no-no?s,? as WCHS topped Rhea County 7-0.

The Classic began on Thursday afternoon with the Pioneers in action against Coffee County, and a five-run sixth helped WCHS avenge an earlier loss to the Red Raiders, as they took an 8-5 victory.

Highlights from each game, beginning with Thursday?s contests:

Pioneers 8, Coffee Co. 5

The Pioneers took an early lead when Justin Bouldin walked, eventually scoring on a wild pitch, and Kyle Mullican reached on an error, later coming home on a Nick Cantrell groundout.

Coffee answered in the top of the third when Zach Greer drove home Jackie West and Robert George plated Greer, but an RBI single from Colby Killian drove home Josh Bratcher ? who had led off the bottom of the third with a double, giving the lead back to WCHS.

Ahead 3-2, Warren County plated five more runs in the bottom of the sixth. Jordan Powers singled with one out in the frame, Jacob Bratcher came in off the bench and drew a bases-loaded walk, scoring Bouldin, and Jordan Powers connected for a two-run single. Josh Bratcher sacrificed Cantrell home, and Powers scored on an infield single from Jordan Underhill.

The big inning would prove to be necessary, as Coffee County got to relievers Darrid Wells and Coty Grissom for three runs in the top of the seventh courtesy of three straight walks, including one with the bases loaded, and RBIs from Daniel Vandagriff and Isaac Wilson.

Powers finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored, and Josh Bratcher, Underhill, Killian, Clint Newman, Mullican and Grissom all had hits.

Justin Fults picked up the win, improving to 1-1 while allowing seven hits and three runs through six innings. Jeff Riddle took the loss for Coffee County.

Pioneers 10, Indians 0

Mullins was all but untouchable on his way to his first win of the year.

The sophomore allowed three baserunners, as Trevor Burgess walked in the first, Benton Kerley reached on a dropped third strike in the second and Cody Harmon reached on an error to start the sixth.

But no one got further than second base, as Mullins kept the Indian lineup in check with nine strikeouts balanced against just one walk.

Ahead 1-0 through five thanks to a Derrin Rogers RBI grounder which drove home Newman, the Pioneers went to work against SCHS starter Daniel Walker in the sixth, eventually ending the game via the 10-run mercy rule.

Underhill got things started with an infield single, and Jacob Bratcher drew a walk before Newman legged out a bunt to load the bases. Mullican came through with a two-run single, and Rogers reached on an error, bringing up Killian in a pinch-hit role which resulted in a two-run single to right.

With one out, Powers singled to center, but Killian was cut down at the plate. However Josh Bratcher drew a walk, and Underhill and Jacob Bratcher followed with RBI singles before coming home on a walkoff two-run hit from Newman.

Walker took the loss for Sequatchie, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits and two walks.

Pioneers 7, Rhea Co. 0

With a stadium packed with students cheering them on, the Pioneers got their first start of the year from Killian on Friday afternoon, and routed the Golden Eagles by posting four runs in the second and three more in the third.

Killian worked all six innings, fanning 12 Rhea County batters and walking just one while hitting two. The only Eagle hit came in the fifth, when RCHS starting pitcher Tyson Latham laid down a bunt which hugged the third-base line, refusing to roll foul. Latham was quickly retired via a 4-6-3 double play, however, the second of two twin-killings turned by the Pioneers in the contest.

At the plate, Mullican got the hit parade started with two outs in the second, belting a ground-rule double to left. Grissom followed with an RBI single, and Cantrell drew a walk. Powers reached on an error, driving in Grissom, and both he and Cantrell scored when Rhea?s Seth Zimmerman threw away a grounder off the bat of Josh Bratcher.

Killian singled to open the third, and Newman turned in a one-out single of his own before Grissom reached on an error to load the bases for Cantrell, who cleared the sacks with a double to left.

Now at 9-8 on the season, the Pioneers will travel to Coffee County Monday.