Mules fall against a tough Valley View squad

JONESBORO — The Poplar Bluff Mules baseball team needed a near-perfect game to take down one of the top teams in the nation.

The Mules went head-to-head with one of their toughest battles of the season against the 27-2 Valley View Blazers on Friday at Valley View High School in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Despite their best attempt, the Mules had trouble getting anything going from the plate and would fall to the Blazers 10-0.

The Mules fall to 18-10 with two more regular season games before heading into the Class 6 District 1 Tournament. Though the Mules entered the matchup with back-to-back wins, they needed all their ducks in a row to upset a laser-focused Valley View.

Valley View opened the scoring in the first after Dax Webb hit a sacrifice fly, scoring two runs, while the Mules struggled to get much going early. Valley View then added to their early lead in the bottom of the third inning after Hudson Hosman singled, Lawson Ward hit a sacrifice fly and Kayson Becker singled, each scoring one run.

With little to no momentum at the plate, the Mules would fall even further behind, and Valley View would secure their win in five innings.

Lance Davis earned the win for Valley View. The starting pitcher gave up one hit and zero runs over three and two-thirds innings, striking out five and walking one. Rylan Seesengood took the loss for Poplar Bluff Varsity Mules. He went four innings, surrendering nine runs (eight earned) on eight hits, striking out three and walking four.

Marcus Tabanera led the Mules with one hit in two at-bats. Valley View tallied nine hits in the game. Hosman, Drew Gartman and Owen Roach each collected two hits for Valley View. Roach led Valley View with two runs batted in and went 2-for-3 on the day. Slade Caldwell stole two bases, while Valley View collected five stolen bases for the game.

The Mules will welcome the Doniphan Dons on Tuesday for their next game.