Dunlap boosts Portageville rout of Cooter right from the start

The match-up between the Class 1 No. 1-ranked high school baseball squad in Missouri against the Class 3 No. 2-ranked team appeared a lot more enticing on paper than it did at Meatte Park in Portageville on Monday.

The host Bulldogs scored four runs in their initial at-bat and never looked back, as they pounded Cooter 11-1 in five innings.

The win was the second straight in the series by Portageville after losing seven consecutive matchups prior to last spring.

As is often the case for Portageville (28-2), the offense got started immediately with a nice plate appearance by Aaron Dunlap.

Aaron did (tonight) what he always does,” Bulldog coach Tyler Trover said, “he just got on base.”

Dunlap took a 1-2 pitch and made a connection, and with his speed, he reached base safely due to a Wildcat error.

“He got us started early from his lead-off spot,” Trover said, “multiple times.”

Dunlap got on base in three of his four at-bats Monday, which included a pair of singles in the fourth inning.

“I try to get ahead in the count, and then stay ahead,” Dunlap explained of his approach. “If I get a pitch that I like, then I’ll try to do something with it.”

Dunlap totaled two hits and an RBI while scoring twice.

In the fourth inning, Portageville, which has 10-runned the Wildcats each of the past two seasons, added six runs.

In total, the Bulldogs got 12 hits, while Portageville senior thrower, Trey “Donkey” Benthal, limited the Wildcats (19-4) to just three hits.

Portageville has won 15 consecutive games and has produced more offensively (9.7 runs per game) than even last year, a spring in which Trover’s team advanced to the MSHSAA Class 2 state title game. And he believes Dunlap’s evolution as a player has been vital to that.

“He is incredibly disciplined,” Trover said. “He takes a professional at-bat about every time he comes up.”

Dunlap’s growth has helped ease Trover’s mind, who was concerned about replacing MHSBCA Class 2 All-State centerfielder Alex Winsor entering this season.

“Aaron is probably the most improved kid on our team over the course of this year,” Trover said.

Dunlap was a “short, little, dumpy kid,” according to Trover, as a freshman, but he became immersed in the “Penrod Program,” which is what Trover calls the Bulldogs’ strength program, which is overseen by Portageville football coach Ian Penrod.

“He is a grown man this year,” Trover said. “He has the athleticism and maxed 300 pounds on the bench press the other day.”

Not only does Dunlap have patience at the plate, but he also now has the strength to hit “gap to gap,” according to his coach, and has totaled 27 stolen bases this year.

“He needs to understand just how good he can really be,” Trover said. “He has the potential to go to the next level and be a very special player.”

Beau-Hunter Warren paced Portageville on Monday with three hits and four runs scored, while Mason Adams (two runs, one hit, two walks), Benthal (one run, one hit, two RBI, two walks), Thomas Frakes (one hit, two RBI), Carson Bradley (two hits, one run, two RBI), Jayquan Bogan (one hit, one RBI), Conner Johnson (one hit, one RBI), and Xayvion Bogan (one run, two walks) also contributed.

Benthal threw all five innings and allowed one earned run, and two walks while striking out 12.

Ryce Lynn had one of three Cooter hits, as did Lukas Barnes and Talan King.

The Wildcats will host Greenville (20-2) today at 2 p.m.

Portageville will close out its regular season today at 4:30 p.m., as it hosts Chaffee (17-7).