Pioneer baseball wins opener at Classic
A rainy weekend shuffled the schedule of the 2005 Warrior Spring Classic, but Warren County’s baseball squad was able to capture a win on the first day of the annual event, downing Northview, Ohio, by a 7-5 final Thursday at Murfreesboro Blackman.
Jared Qualls got the start on the mound for WCHS, working a complete game on his way to the win. The senior fanned seven batters, walked three and allowed eight hits. Four of Northview’s five runs were earned.
Northview opened the game up with three runs in the top of first, taking advantage of back-to-back singles, a walk and a double.
The Pioneers countered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the frame, however. Tyler Herriman belted a one-out triple, scoring on a double from Colby Killian. Todd Gilley walked, and Dylan Stephens doubled in both Killian and Gilley to tie the game.
Northview took back the lead with a single run in the top of the third, but the Pioneers answered after Killian reached on an error to lead off the bottom of the frame. Gilley singled, Stephens walked, and Nick Cantrell drew a bases-loaded walk to send Killian to the plate.
In the bottom of the fourth, Warren County retook the lead, scoring a run on a Stephens fielder’s choice, which plated Jacob Bratcher.
The top of the fifth saw Northview put a runner on, but Qualls fanned the final two batters of the inning to end the threat.
The Pioneers added some insurance in the bottom of the sixth, scoring two runs. Herriman drew a leadoff walk, and with one out, a Gilley double scored Herriman, and Stephens followed with another double, scoring Gilley to put WCHS up 7-4.
Northview put up what would prove to be its final run early in the seventh, but a 4-6-3 double play (Cantrell-to-Herriman-to-Stephens) ended the inning.
All of Friday’s games at the Classic were rained out, forcing the tournament schedule to be revised. The Pioneers defeated BGA at Blackman High School Saturday afternoon, and were scheduled to face Germantown Houston on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Riverdale. Sunday’s game, however, was also canceled.
WCHS returns to District 7-AAA action Monday and Tuesday, facing off against Murfreesboro Siegel. Monday’s game will be at Patrick Ramsey Field, and the teams will meet in Murfreesboro on Tuesday. Both contests are scheduled for 6:30 p.m.