Bernie, Holcomb advance in Class 2 District 1 Baseball Tournament

BERNIE – After a location change for the quarterfinals of the Class 2 District 1 baseball tournament due to rain, Bernie and Holcomb both advanced to the semifinals.

Third-seeded Bernie had a day at their home plate and took down sixth-seeded Campbell in five innings to win 11-0. Fifth-seeded Holcomb grinded out an upset to win 3-1 over fourth-seeded Senath-Hornersville.

__Bernie 11, Campbell 0__

Bernie took advantage of miscues early on to blast past Campbell offensively while holding the Camels scoreless over five innings Friday.

“That’s the kind of start that we needed,” Bernie coach Marcus Massey said. “We’ve been up and down some this season, but we have played well here lately, so we wanted to keep it going.”

In total, the Mules racked up 10 hits and nine RBIs with five walked batters to earn the win. The Mules added two runs in both the first and second innings for a 4-0 lead, blanked the third inning, but added three more in the fourth and four in the fifth to win by run rule.

Eventually, it was a clutch home run hit by Owen Bewley that brought home Reece Justice to win.

Bernie's Owen Bewley is congratulated by teammates at home plate after hitting the game-winning home run in the Mules' quarterfinal game against Campbell on Friday, May 12, 2023.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Justice led the way for Bernie on the mound for the majority of the ballgame. He lasted 4.1 innings, allowing just four hits and striking out three batters. Justice was relieved by Jayden Robinett in the last inning who struck out two while not allowing a hit.

“I’m proud of all of them,” Massey said. “Reece Justice came out and started on the mound for us, and he went deep into the game. He threw strikes and we didn’t have to go to anyone early, so he did his job.”

While Campbell managed four hits, contributed by Carson Weidenbenner, Sam Bunting, Hunter Tate and Logan Townsend, the Mules’ defense worked tirelessly behind the two pitchers to put an end to any offensive retaliation.

“Defense has been our strong point all year,” Massey said. “We’ve been pretty solid, and we were again today. Early in the game, it was more about what they allowed us to do. We benefited from some of their mistakes, but late in the game we started hitting a lot better.”

Bernie plays second-seeded South Pemiscot Monday at 4 p.m.

__Holcomb 3, Senath-Hornersville 1__

The second quarterfinal game of the day was a much closer contest, and it was a bittersweet win for the Hornets.

“I feel ecstatic for our kids, our school and our community,” Holcomb coach Michael Snider said. “It was a good game of baseball if that’s the kind of game you like: small ball, grinding out everything you get. I was just extremely happy that we came out on top of that one.”

In a battle of pitching and defense from start to finish, both Holcomb’s Hunter Lawrence and Senath-Hornersville’s Chayse Laden struck out ten batters in their starts on the mound.

Senath-Hornersville's Chayse Laden throws a pitch in a district quarterfinal game against Holcomb on Friday.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Lawrence threw for 6.2 innings and allowed three hits and an earned run, walking two batters. Laden threw for six innings and allowed just two hits and two earned runs while walking five.

“We knew this would be a battle coming in,” Senath-Hornersville coach Chris McClain said. “Chayse came in and did exactly what we wanted him to do. It was a pitcher battle all day, but they came out on top. I’m just really proud of where these guys have been, and where they are now.”

After a four-inning defensive showdown netting no runs by either team, Senath-Hornersville struck first as Jesus “Chewy” Mendoza grounded out but allowed Christian “Pookie” Garza to reach home.

In Holcomb’s next turn at bat, they were ready to answer the run. Barry Privett hammered a ball to center field for a triple which brought home Payton McNabb and Matthew Russom.

Holcomb's Barry Privett attempts to take home plate in a district quarterfinal game against Senath-Hornersville on Friday.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

“I think the biggest difference today was that our seniors showed up and showed out,” Snider said. “Hunter threw the crap out of it today. He did phenomenal. Payton was great in the field and grinded out a lot of the hits. Barry came up and had the biggest hit of the year for us.”

“Now, it’s a team effort, no doubt about it,” he continued. “But when you have three seniors and you’re really young outside of them, you have to rely on them and they came up really big for us.”

Hunter Lawrence put away two strikeouts in the bottom of the sixth, and McNabb threw out Michael Weldon at first to take a trip to the plate again.

Bryce McNabb pushed forth the Hornets’ third run in the top of the seventh inning with a ground ball single to bring home Jaxsten Swims-Pikey.

Senath-Hornersville's Pookie Garza looks to take third base in a district quarterfinal game against Holcomb on Friday, May 12, 2023.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

For the Lions, Garza and Conner Patterson each contributed two hits while Michael Weldon added another.

Snider took his current position at Holcomb four years ago, and before that his home was Senath-Hornersville. He began his career with the Lions, and the current Senath-Hornersville seniors made up his first roster.

“Those kids over there fought tremendously hard,” Snider said. “They’re well-coached and they’re a great baseball team. Seeing them grow up and seeing them go to adulthood, it’s bittersweet for me. All of those kids mean a lot to me, and those seniors were with me when I was green, didn’t know what I was doing, and they helped show me the way. I have a lot of respect for them.”

Holcomb takes on first-seeded Neelyville Monday at 2 p.m.

“Neelyville is a really good team, and we’ll have to play really well to beat them,” Snider said. “But you have to win a game to get to that game. And we’re there, so we’ll give it our best shot.”

Senath-Hornersville came out on top in their matchup against Holcomb 3-1 earlier in the season. With the current seniors leading the way, the Lions improved from a 5-15 record in 2021 and finished this season 12-8.

“Rigo Marroquin is always around helping out with the small things, and you need those guys to have a good ball club,” McClain said. “Chandler Coronado has really had a breakout season for us, and he’s done a heck of a job. Conner Patterson has been a four-year starter for us and he’s a very versatile, athletic guy. Michael Weldon’s also had a real breakout year, and he’s the guy I’ve been looking for for the last four years. Mike’s been in the lineup for four years, but he’s also our emotional leader. I can’t speak enough about the high character of these young men.”