Senath-Hornersville attains late lead to win 9-4 over Twin Rivers

SENATH – The Senath-Hornersville baseball team (10-5) took a resounding lead in the bottom of the fifth inning against Twin Rivers (10-10) on Thursday to win their final game 9-4 before the Bootheel Conference Tournament begins this weekend.

In the fall, Twin Rivers defeated Senath-Hornersville 15-0, but the Lions came ready to play, and to “peak” before tournament season begins.

“I thought it was a really good ballgame,” Senath-Hornersville coach Chris McClain said. “Twin Rivers has a good club and they've gotten the better of us the last couple times we've met. Today, our guys tried to come out and do all the things you need to do to win ballgames.”

The two teams tied 1-1 at the end of the third inning, and the Lions added another in the fourth for a precarious advantage. Next up at bat starting the fifth, the Royals tied and pulled ahead 3-2 with runs by Logan Jones and Carter Williams.

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth in search of an equalizing run, Conner Patterson doubled to bring home Noah Rhodes for the first of five runs the Lions would score in the inning.

Senath-Hornersville's Conner Patterson celebrates after making it to third base in a game against Twin Rivers Thursday.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

“At one time, before we'd made a couple of two out hits, we left eight or nine guys on base,” McClain explained. “Conner Patterson stepped up and got a big two out hit to extend the inning, then Pookie and Chewy did it as well. We had some big spots and big moments. That's really good to see at this time of year, being able to capitalize and do what we need to do to get the win.”

Jesus Mendoza doubled to bring home Patterson, Spencer Goff and Pookie Garza. Then, Chayse Laden tripled on a fly ball to right field to bring in Mendoza for a 7-3 lead.

Twin Rivers added two runs to their total in the sixth to Senath-Hornersville's two, and the Royals scored once more in the seventh.

The Lions racked up a total of 10 hits and eight RBIs. Pookie Garza, Noah Rhodes and Conner Patterson each contributed two runs for Senath-Hornersville. Jesus Mendoza, Amador Luna and Spencer Goff each added another.

Madox Belcher led for four innings on the mound and faced 15 batters. He threw 61 pitches and 36 strikes for four strikeouts while allowing two hits and an earned run. Belcher was relieved by Jesus Mendoza, then Chayse Laden and Noah Rhodes.

“Madox Belcher came out and gave us some quality innings,” McClain said. “We pulled him because we want him to be ready to go in the conference tournament if needed, but it was just a total effort today by our pitching staff.”

With five total hits and four RBIs, Price Thurman, Logan Jones, Bo Lilly and Carter Williams all scored a run for Twin Rivers.

Twin Rivers' Luke Hester moves to first base after being walked in a game against Senath-Hornersville Thursday.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Luke Hester started on the mound and pitched 4.2 innings and faced 26 batters. He threw 99 pitches for 51 strikes and three strikeouts. He allowed three hits, six walks and four runs before being relieved by Jake Hester and Brett Robards.

Senath-Hornersville begins competition in the Bootheel Conference Tournament as the No. 3 seed Saturday. The Lions play sixth-seeded Campbell at 10 a.m., which will take place at Campbell High School.

“It was just a good team effort,” McClain said. “In days like today in this kind of environment, you never know what's going to happen. It's getting to that point in the year where everyone wants to peak and play their best baseball. It's just a little more intense this time of year.”