C2D1BB: Bernie survives against South Pem in dramatic test

BERNIE – Good pitching can cover up holes on a baseball team, and Bernie found that out on Thursday in its MSHSAA Class 2 District 1 Tournament opener against visiting South Pemiscot.

The Bulldogs entered the postseason with four wins this spring while the Mules had 16, but after seven innings of play, that disparity meant nothing.

Bernie got a two-run double from sophomore Brayden Vaughn to get past South Pemiscot 4-2 in eight innings.

“I hope that we understand,” veteran Mule coach Marcus Massey said following the win, “that on any given day, in the game of baseball, you can lose.”

South Pemiscot senior pitcher Jadie Morton did everything he could to try and make Massey’s words ring true.

Morton limited Bernie to just one earned run (two runs total) through six innings while giving up three hits, two walks, and striking out five.

“Jadie did a great job for us all year on the mound,” veteran Bulldog coach Jason House said after the game. “I think Bernie was a little nervous about seeing him because we don’t play each other in the spring.

“(Massey) is just kind of going off what he hears from other guys.”

While House had the comfort of knowing his starter was cruising, Massey had to make a quick adjustment in the game.

Bernie junior pitcher Taylor Stanfield started the game and got the South Pemiscot lead-off hitter out. However, he then hit Bulldog hitter William McDaniel, gave up a single to senior Brayden Bomar, and walked Morton to load the bases.

With the season riding on this game, Massey didn’t waste any time in bringing in senior Jayden Robinette, who ended the threat with a strikeout and a line drive to center field.

“Jayden came in and did what he has done for us for the past two seasons,” Massey said. “He got us out of a big jam there in that inning, and then continued to throw strikes all game long.”

Massey rode Robinette as long as the rules would allow (105 pitches) in 7 1/3 innings, and he gave up six hits, two runs (neither earned), one walk, and struck out nine.

South Pemiscot held a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning before Bernie tied the game, and in the eighth, with two outs, Mule sophomore Leightin Hicks came in and quickly allowed a single from Robert Farmer III but ended the inning with a liner to left field.

Robinette led off the eighth inning with a single and then stole second. He advanced to third base on a balk by South Pemiscot reliever Bomar, which was followed by House calling for intentional walks to Bernie junior hitter Cody Massey and freshman Cane Hobgood, both of whom had combined for three hits on the day.

That brought up Vaughn, who had drawn a walk and had no hits in two previous at-bats.

“Brayden is a kid who one day is really going to fill the middle of the lineup for us,” Massey said.

Vaughn’s potential is nice to discuss, but Bernie needed a hit today, and Vaughn delivered.

He “was aggressive,” according to Massey, and he drove the first pitch he saw into right field to score both Robinette and Cody Massey to end the game.

“I have been on (the players) all year about being positive with each other,” House said, “and taking each day as an opportunity to grow.”

Massey paced the Mules (17-8) with two hits, two runs scored, and a walk while Robinette (one hit, two runs), Hobgood (one hit, one RBI, one walk), Vaughn (one hit, two RBI, one walk), and Stanfield (one walk) also produced offensively.

Vaughn and Massey hit for doubles while Massey had two stolen bases, as did Robinette.

Vaughn, Hobgood, and junior Cayden Hunt also had stolen bases.

South Pemiscot got three hits from sophomore Parker Carlisle while sophomore Logan Southern (one hit, one run, one RBI), McDaniel (one hit), Bomar (one hit, one RBI), Morton (two walks), freshman Zeke Floyd (one hit, one run), and Farmer III (one hit) also contributed.

Southern hit a double while Carlisle added a stolen base.

Bomar worked the final 1 1/3 innings and allowed two hits, two earned runs, and walked a couple of Mules.

Bernie moves on to face Senath-Hornersville (11-7) today at 1 p.m.

Thursday’s games were to be played at Senath-Hornersville but were moved to Bernie due to rain-soaked fields in Senath. If that is the case again today, the two semifinals (Portageville vs, Campbell at 11 a.m. being the other game) will be played at Bernie.