Pioneers set for weekend tournament

By ROB NUNLEY / Sports Editor for the Southern Standard

Dylan Stephens breaks up a double play against Coffee County earlier this season. The Pioneers will take on Coffee County Thursday afternoon to open the 2004 Dr Pepper Wood Bat Classic. (Dale Stubblefield photo)

Warren County’s already busy opening weeks of the 2004 baseball season won’t slow down any this weekend.

After a two-day District 7-AAA series with Riverdale, the Pioneers will put out the welcome mat for the next three days, as they host the 2004 Dr Pepper Wood Bat Classic at Patrick Ramsey Field.

Action in the round-robin tournament begins on Thursday afternoon, when the Pioneers will take on Coffee County at 4:30. The Red Raiders handed Warren County a 4-2 loss when the two teams met in Manchester on March 17.

Four games are set for Friday, beginning with the Pioneers taking on Rhea County at 12:30 p.m. Rhea County keeps the field for a 3 p.m. matchup against Notre Dame, and the Irish will take on Smith County at 5:30 p.m. Friday’s nightcap will feature Coffee County against Notre Dame.

Saturday, the Pioneers will open the day’s play with a 9 a.m. matchup against Notre Dame, and Rhea County takes on Smith County at 11:30.

Coffee County faces Notre Dame at 2 p.m., then keeps the field to take on Rhea County at 4:30, before the Pioneers return to action to wrap up the Classic with a 7 p.m. tilt against Smith County.

The Classic champion will be determined by best overall record, with tie-breakers falling in the order of: head-to-head, runs allowed, runs scored and if all else fails, a coin toss.

Admission cost is $5 per day, or $8 for a pass good for the entire weekend.

Dr Pepper Classic
Warren County’s Games:
Thursday: vs. Coffee County,
4:30 p.m.
Friday: vs. Rhea County,
12:30 p.m.
Saturday: vs. Notre Dame, 9 a.m.
vs. Smith County, 7 p.m.