Bernie BB searching for offensive consistency

BERNIE – The Bernie High School baseball program evened its 2023 record on Monday with a commanding 11-1 win over Puxico in the opening round of the Stoddard County Athletic Association Baseball Tournament at Bernie, and with that .500 mark, this spring has gone just like most would believe it has: There have been ups and downs, particularly offensively.

“We have to get more consistent on attacking our pitch,” Mule coach Marcus Massey said following the win.

That wasn’t an issue on Monday, so much, though at times, Massey still wasn’t thrilled despite his team connecting for nine hits and producing a 10-run victory. However, in other games, that inconsistency really showed.

In three of the four previous games to Monday, the Mules had scored either three or two runs, and that number grows to six this season looking at the entire year.

“Too many times,” Massey continued, “we will step into the box, and we’ll take a good (pitch), and then we are at the mercy of the pitcher for the rest of the time. If we can start recognizing good strikes and hit early, we need to jump on them and stay aggressive.”

Indian pitchers Cole Barnfield and Waylon Powell combined to throw 62 strikes in 116 pitches over five innings, with Barnfield working four of those innings.

Barnfield walked four Mule hitters while striking out five and allowing seven hits and as many earned runs.

Bernie junior Jayden Robinette was effective in getting three hits in as many at-bats. He also had three RBI and scored twice, while junior teammate Hunter Newton added two hits, and a walk, and scored twice.

Both Robinette, Newton, as well as freshman Leightin Hicks each had doubles in the victory.

“There are several,” Massey answered when asked who has been hitting consistently well this spring. “It has been up and down. Hunter has swung it really well.”

Massey also mentioned Mule seniors Owen Bewley and Reece Justice, who had just one combined hit on Monday, but Bewley scored once and Justice had an RBI, a walk, and scored a team-leading three times.

“It has just kind of depended on the day,” Massey said.

Massey said his focus with his hitters has been to not strike out. At the very least, he wants his players to connect on a pitch and put the ball in play.

In the recent Malden Invitational Tournament, the Mules lost to both East Prairie (10-2) and Neelyville (6-3), but against the Tigers, Bernie didn’t strike out once, while it had seven Ks against the Eagles.

“Our main thing is not striking out,” Massey explained. “Put the ball in play and make (the defense) make plays. We are not going to hit a ton of balls out, even here with the short left field.”

Bernie senior Seth Teel, sophomore Taylor Stanfield, and Hicks also had hits against Puxico (4-6).

Barnfield, Thomas Burch, Eric Riddle, and Logan Crisel each had hits for Puxico, while Burch scored the lone run for the Indians.

Hicks threw 4 1/3 innings and gave up just one earned run on three hits to grab the win. He walked four and struck out six.

“We’re just going to have to grind the whole time,” Massey said of his offense, “and keep constant pressure on every inning. That’s the goal.”

The Mules will face Dexter (6-6) in the semifinals of the tournament today at 6:30 p.m. at Advance.

Advance with Zalma (5-4) will host Woodland (7-5) at 4:30 p.m. in the other semifinal.