DAR Prep Roundup: Baseball/Softball

The baseball and softball season is in full swing, and a lot of action occurred throughout the area on Monday. With only a few games under each team’s belt, some aimed to get their first victory of the season, while the others saw an opportunity to add more to the win column.

The Twin Rivers Royals went down to the wire in a back-and-forth affair on Monday to defeat the Alton Comets 8-7. The Royals were down 7-6 in the bottom of the sixth inning when Luke Hester lined out, scoring one run to seal the victory.

“We did not play our best and definitely did not execute on offense,” Royals head coach Chris Newman said. “Early in the game, we had opportunities that we did not take advantage of and we did not put Alton away like we should have. (Brett) Robards started on the mound for us and did not have his best stuff, but he pitched well enough to keep us in the game. That was crucial for us since we had burned a lot of pitching this past weekend. Jake Hester came in to eat the last few innings and through very well to get the win.”

Hester drove the middle of the lineup, leading the Royals with three runs batted in. Hester and Kendell Austin each collected two hits for Twin Rivers.

BASEBALL

East Carter 10, Naylor 4

East Carter defeated the Naylor Eagles 10-4 on Monday with six runs in the seventh inning. Leadoff hitter Benjamin Stahl led East Carter with two hits in four at-bats. Cason Price went 1-for-4 at the plate as they led the team with two runs batted in.

Bernie 10, Neelyville 3

Even though the Neelyville Tigers collected six hits to the Bernie Mules’s five, they still fell 10-3 on Monday at Neelyville High School baseball field.

“We got in some good pitching today,” Tigers head coach David Crockett said. “I told the guys we’re making errors at the worst time we could make them. We put the bat on the ball really well and had a couple of base runs. I still see more room for improvement, and that’s what we’re constantly working on with such a young team. Things will come together eventually. We just have to keep working, stay the course and trust the process.”

Kenny Fiske provided pop in the middle of the lineup and led Neelyville with two runs batted in. The shortstop went 2-for-3 on the day. Taylor Stanfield and Cody Massey were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each drove in two runs for the Bernie Mules. Stanfield, Taven Owens, Massey, Cane Hobgood and Leightin Hicks each collected one hit for Bernie.

Summersville 17, Doniphan 8

Doniphan couldn’t keep up with Senath-Hornersville and fell 17-8 on Monday. Doniphan tallied 10 hits in the game. Maddox Baucom, Lane Dean and Lane Allen each collected two hits for the Dons. McAfee, Keaton Willcut, Dean and Allen each drove in two runs for Doniphan.

Greenville 13, Ellington 1

Ty Burchard collected three hits in three at-bats as the Greenville Bears defeated Southern Reynolds 13-1 on Monday. Burchard singled in the second inning, singled in the third inning, and singled in the fifth inning. Greenville piled up 13 hits in the game. Burchard and Trey Porter each collected three hits for Greenville. Cooper Sturgeon led Greenville with three runs batted in. The second baseman went 1-for-3 on the day. Jackson Bollinger collected two hits for Greenville Bears in four at-bats.

SOFTBALL

Twin Rivers 20, Puxico 1

Reese Crismon collected three hits in three at-bats as the Twin Rivers Lady Royals defeated Puxico 20-1 on Monday. Crismon singled in the first inning and doubled in the second inning. Alexis Parson and Crismon each drove in three runs for Twin Rivers.

Neelyville 7, Senath 3

September Preslar struck out 15 batters as she led the Neelyville Lady Tigers past Senath-Hornersville 7-3 on Monday. Preslar gave up eight hits and three runs over seven innings while walking none.

Resse Dobbins, Jade Crosswhite, and Layni Dobbins each collected two hits for the Neelyville Lady Tigers. Dobbins led Neelyville with two runs batted in. The infielder went 2-for-4 on the day.