Mules can’t dig out of big early hole in loss to Kennett

The Kennett baseball Indians did not need long to erase an early deficit and build a big lead against the Poplar Bluff Mules.

After the Mules scored twice in the top of the first inning of Friday’s SEMO Conference game at Strenfel Field, Kennett scored eight times in the bottom of the inning on its way to an 8-4 victory.

The game originally was scheduled for March 21 in Kennett, but was postponed until Friday because of inclement weather — then was moved from Kennett to Poplar Bluff earlier on Friday because of a wet field.

The Mules (8-10) got on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead when Dylan Hall led off the game with a base hit, stole second and scored on another base hit from Noah Spain. Two batters later, Marcus Tabanera doubled home Spain and made it 2-0.

Things went downhill from there for Poplar Bluff.

Brooks Nigut cut the Mules’ lead in half when he singled home Tanner Pierce, then Trey Gardner tripled to score Nigut and tie the score. After Hayden Gilmore walked, Caleb Duncan doubled to score him and Trey Gardner and give Kennett a 4-2 lead.

Matthew Gardner singled home Duncan to make it 5-2 Indians, then Pierce came to the plate for the second time in the inning and doubled home Peyton Branum, who earlier had reached on a dropped third strike, for a 6-2 Kennett edge. Pierce and Matthew Gardner later scored on an error to cap the rally.

Poplar Bluff did not give up, getting RBI singles from Kade Huffman and David Durbin in the top of the fourth inning to cut the Indians’ lead to 8-4. However, neither team scored again.

Tabanera, Myles Johnson and Kolby Greenwall each had two hits for the Mules.

Nigut and Pierce both had two hits apiece for Kennett. Pierce also went the distance on the hill for the win.

Poplar Bluff is back in action Monday at Park Hills before hosting Oran Tuesday, while the Indians head to Jonesboro, Arkansas Saturday to take on Valley View.