Mule junior 'consistently' leading surging 'Bluff in a variety of ways

There may not be a more potent squad readying to compete in the SEMO Conference baseball Tournament later this week than Poplar Bluff.

The Mules have won four of their last six games, including a 15-0 beating of Park Hills Central (7-8) on Monday at Poplar Bluff, and junior Noah Spain is one of the key components to the success – all season – for Poplar Bluff.

“Very much so,” second-year Poplar Bluff coach John David Pattillo said of Spain being vital to his team. “His biggest issue is, every once in a while, he gets the ball in the air a little bit too much.”

That doesn’t happen too frequently, however.

In the 13 games the Mules (15-7) have played this month, Spain has contributed offensively and defensively, from a multitude of spots.

He has hit atop of the order, third, and in the middle of the order, and has registered nine hits and scored as many times.

“Noah always has a chance to hit the ball hard,” Pattillo continued. “He has been one of our most consistent hitters in that way.”

Spain has notched a double this month, as well as driven in five runs and walked seven times.

“He’s a guy who I can move around depending on the situation,” Pattillo said. “He’s a very consistent offensive player.”

Against the Rebels, Spain drew a walk, but his primary contribution was on the mound.

He threw all four innings and gave up just one hit, no earned runs, walked one, and struck out five.

The outing was his fourth strong outing in his last five appearances. Even in a game in which he labored through a loss at Greenville, Spain still struck out five Bear hitters in four innings.

When he isn’t pitching, Spain will play mostly at third base, but could also fill in at shortstop, but Pattillo has tried to rest his arm this spring by moving him over a position.

“He’s a very good (third baseman),” Pattillo said.

The star of the Mules’ latest win was senior Kolby Greenwall, who hit for the cycle.

Greenwall finished with four hits and three runs scored while driving in four runs, as Poplar Bluff scored twice in the opening inning, before adding six, five, and two more runs over its next three at-bats.

Poplar Bluff sophomore Bryce Dobbs added three hits and four RBI, as he connected for a double while senior Rylan Seesengood (three hits, four RBI), senior Dylan Bratcher (two hits, two runs, one RBI), freshman Brant Bell (one walk), sophomore Kade Huffman (one hit, one run, one RBI), sophomore Marcus Tabanera (one hit, one run), junior Dylan Hall (one hit, two runs, one walk), senior Cameron Settle (one hit, four runs), freshman Rion Tenchavez (one hit, one run, one RBI), and senior Kaine Lewis (one hit) also contributed.

The Mules will visit Class 1 No. 4-ranked Oran (9-5) today at 4:30 p.m.