Mules open BB season with thriller over New Madrid

BERNIE – Veteran Bernie High School baseball coach Marcus Massey knew he would be counting heavily upon senior Jayden Robinett this spring.

The senior athlete not only is a stellar shortstop for the perennially good Mules, but he is also Massey’s top arm on the mound.

“He’s always just been a strike thrower,” Massey said of Robinett. “When you don’t walk guys, it matters. You tend to keep yourself out of trouble as a pitcher.”

The Mules opened their 2024 spring season on Friday against New Madrid County Central with a 5-4 thrilling win in eight innings, and though Robinett wasn’t in mid-season form, he was reliably solid.

Not only did Robinett earn the victory on the mound after throwing three innings in relief, but he also had the game-winning RBI on a bunt laid down in the final inning that scored freshman Cane Hobgood.

The Eagles (0-1) took advantage of Bernie’s shaky play in the first inning of the season.

Andrerion Williams reached on an error by Mule third baseman Taylor Stanfield, before advancing on a passed ball.

A single given up by Bernie starter Leightin Hicks, followed by a couple of walks put New Madrid up 1-0. However, the Mule offense didn’t take long to get going this spring.

Bernie put a run across in each of the first two innings, as well as the fourth and fifth innings, and led 4-1 entering the seventh and final inning.

Hicks had been very good as the starter for Bernie, as he allowed just two hits and one unearned run. He walked just a couple of batters while striking out six.

Stanfield replaced Hicks and threw three innings of no hits, no run ball. He also walked a couple of hitters while striking out four.

At that point, Massey brought Robinette in to seal the win, and through his first inning of work, Robinett showed why he was the 2023 Stoddard County Athletic Association Player of the Year.

In the sixth inning, Robinett gave up one walk and one single but got out of the inning with no damage done.

“With his ability to mix it up,” Massey said of Robinette, “and throw multiple pitches for strikes, he keeps teams off-balance.”

New Madrid proved a tough first outing for Robinette, however.

With one out in the seventh inning, Eagle junior Slade Courtois doubled into left field, which was followed by a double from senior Ayden McCanless, but Courtois remained at third base.

New Madrid trimmed its deficit to 4-2 on an RBI single from junior John Harris, which scored Courtois, and then 4-3 on an RBI single from sophomore Joseph Taylor, which scored McCanless.

Eagle senior Julian Courtois tied the game at four runs on an RBI single that scored Harris.

Harris was throwing in relief of New Madrid starter Brady Swims and got Bernie out with no damage in the seventh inning. However, the Mules got to Harris in the eighth.

Hobgood opened the inning with a single, which was followed by Blake Nash and Jonah Copeland getting hit by pitches, which loaded the bases.

Robinett laid a bunt down the third base side of the infield, which brought home Hobgood.

Bernie got a pair of hits from Cody Massey, who scored a run and drew a walk while Robinett (one hit, two runs, two RBI), Hicks (one hit, one RBI), Stanfield (one hit), Brayden Vaughn (one hit, one RBI), Hobgood (one hit, one run), Nash (one hit, one run), and Blayne Morgen (one walk) also were productive.

Robinett and Hicks each had doubles while Massey and Robinett had three and two steals, respectively.

Robinett finished his three innings of work on the mound having allowed six hits, three earned runs, a pair of walks, and two strikeouts.

Taylor paced the New Madrid offense with two hits, one RBI and one walk while Williams (one run, one walk), Gage Sweatt (one hit), Swims (one hit), Slade Courtois (one hit, one run, one walk), McCanless (one hit, one run, one walk), Harris (one hit, one run, two RBI, one walk), Jack Pipkin (one walk), and Julian Courtois (one hit, one RBI) also produced.

Taylor and Williams each tallied a stolen base.

Swims threw three innings and allowed a couple of unearned runs while walking two and striking out eight.

Harris pitched four innings and allowed six hits, three earned runs, no walks, and struck out three.

Bernie (1-0) will visit Neelyville (1-2) today at 4:30 p.m.

New Madrid County Central will travel to Caruthersville (1-1) on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.