Pioneers fall in ’03 opener
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The Pioneer bats were just as cold as the frigid March winds during the early innings of Monday’s game. Wildcat starter Kenny Griffin retired the first eight WCHS batters he faced, before Joshua Bratcher drew a base-on-balls with two out in the third.
Matt Brown came through with Warren County’s first hit of the season, leading off the fourth with a single to right, and Joey Haston drew a walk to help add to the Pioneers’ first scoring threat. But back-to-back strikeouts from Griffin stranded Brown and pinch-runner Jordan Powers, who had moved to third and second, respectively, via a double steal.
The Wildcats got on the board early, as Matt Gray drew a walk then came home on a hit from Mark Chaney.
Tullahoma plated another pair of runs in the second, when Brian Morris singled to lead off the frame and scored on a Tripp Hess fielder’s choice. Busch Thoma, who reached on another fielder’s choice which retired Hess, came all the way around from second to score when the Pioneers’ John Morrison dropped a pop-up from Gray at first base.
Tullahoma’s final run came in the fifth, when Gray connected for a leadoff single and scored on a hit from Jason Nixon.
The Pioneers came through with a late rally, getting back-to-back singles from Tyler Herriman and Morrison to start the seventh. Herriman, who had stolen second and went to third on Morrison’s hit, came home when Tullahoma’s catcher tried to throw out pinch-runner Steven Ehrhardt. The error allowed Ehrhardt to move all the way to third, and he scored on a ground ball from Chase McGee.
Brown, who was the only Pioneer to reach base twice after drawing a walk in the sixth, stole four bases on the night. Powers, Herriman and Ehrhardt also came away with swiped bags.
Gray reached base four times for Tullahoma, which got to Pioneer starting pitcher Cody Mitchell for six hits and all four runs. Mitchell struck out two batters and walked two before giving way to Colby Jenkins, who gave up one hit, walked one man and struck out another in the sixth.
Griffin worked the first five innings for Tullahoma, allowing just one hit before being replaced by Seth Smith, who worked the final two innings.
The Pioneers were scheduled to face Livingston Academy Tuesday at home, and travel to Coffee County Wednesday before returning home Friday for a rematch with the Wildcats. Friday’s game has been designated as “Law Enforcement, Rescue Squad and Auxiliary Police” night, where all members of those organizations will be admitted free of charge.