Portageville wins doubleheader against NMCC and Neelyville

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — The Portageville baseball team earned a pair of quality wins over Neelyville and New Madrid County Central on Thursday, March 30.

The Bulldogs (10-0) opened the day with a 15-0 over the Tigers (4-4) and ended the evening with a 9-3 victory over the Eagles (2-2).

“It was the best day of baseball we have played all year,” said Portageville coach Tyler Trover. “Our kids played loose and I felt like it was the first day we played well in all facets of the game. When we do that we can be very solid. We have to keep getting better day after day and understand the grind of a season is a process, but anytime you have a chance to grab a district win it is important. Our goal is always to put ourselves in a position to make it to the playoffs.”

Huston Partin earned the win on the mound against Neelyville. He pitched all four innings, allowing no runs on two hits with three strikeouts and walks. The Bulldogs finished with 13 hits and were led by Carson Bradley (3-for-4, three RBIs and two runs), Conner Johnson (2-for-3, four RBIs, stolen base and two runs), Thomas Frakes (2-for-3, RBI and three runs), Jayquan Bogan (2-for-2, stolen base and two runs), Aaron Dunlap (2-for-4 and two RBIs), Mason Adams (1-for-2 with two runs), Trey Benthal (1-for-3 with two runs), Beau Hunter-Warren (RBI and a run) and Connor Jefferies (run).

Benthal was the winning pitcher against NMCC. He threw 5.1 innings and allowed one earned run on five hits with three strikeouts and two walked batters. Benthal also had a double at the plate, which was the team’s only extra-base hit.

Hunter-Warren pitched the final 1.1 innings for Portageville. He didn’t allow any runs or hits, striking out two and walking one.

The Bulldogs had 11 hits while the Eagles managed just five.

Portageville’s top performers at the plate were Dunlap (2-for-2, three RBIs and a run), Adams (2-for-3, RBI and a run), Frakes (2-for-3 and three RBIs), Jayquan Bogan (2-for-3 and two runs), Johnson (1-for-4, RBI and two runs) and Bradley (1-for-4 and a run).

NMCC’s top hitters were John Harris (1-for-2 and a run). Brady Swims (1-for-3 and a run), Brandon Waters (1-for-3), Slade Courtois (1-for-3), Chris Grissom (1-for-3) and Ayden McCanless (RBI).

Clay Cope took the loss for the Eagles. He started and pitched the first three innings, surrendering six earned runs on 11 hits with two strikeouts and one walk. Swims finished the game for NMCC, throwing the final three innings. He allowed no earned runs on no hits with five strikeouts and one walked batter.

Portageville will compete at the Valle Catholic Round Robin on Saturday, April 1. The Bulldogs are scheduled to face John Burroughs (5-3) at noon and Valle Catholic (7-1) at 2:30 p.m.

NMCC travels to Sikeston (1-4) on Monday, April 3.

__PORTAGEVILLE 15, NEELYVILLE 0, F/4__

N’Ville 000 0xx x - 0 2 2

P’Ville 402 29x x — 15 13 0

W—Huston Partin. L—Bryce Dolins.

__PORTAGEVILLE 9, NMCC 3__

NMCC 200 010 0 — 3 5 4

P’Ville 152 010 x — 9 11 1

W—Trey Benthal. L—Clay Cope. 2B—Portageville: Benthal.