Four early losses suffered by the Russellville baseball team this spring were by one run, and often that winning run scored in the opponent’s final time at bat. A two-run loss also came in the last inning.
Coach Greg Shelton’s team played well in these games but just couldn’t quite get over the hump.
This is the first in a series of stories about Russellville’s 2014 baseball season. The results will get better as we go. The Panthers have now won seven games.
Cumberland County 1, RHS 0
Zach Denney gave up just one run on four singles, but Aaron Johnson drove in Daniel Hale for the game’s only run in the first inning. Unfortunately, this was in the All A Regional Tournament on March 13.
Three of the Russellville’s four hits were doubles by Wesley Stratton, Corey Wright and Denney. The only other hit RHS got off Andrew Perdue was also by Denney. Both pitchers had had strikeout pitches going with Denney fanning 10 and Perdue eight. Denney didn’t walk a batter while Perdue issued three passes and hit Barrett Croslin with a pitch.
Bowling Green 10, RHS 3
Croslin provided most of the RHS offense, getting two of the four hits and two of the three RBIs. One of his hits was a double, and he scored two of the three runs. Stratton had one of the hits and scored a run. Jordan Blick scored the other run, and Denney added the other hit and RBI.
Seaton Sheldon and Hunter Rogers led BGH with three hits and two runs each. Sheldon homered and had four RBIs. Justin Gentry also had two each of hits and RBIs.
Colby Nichols took the loss pitching. Blick got the final four outs.
Muhlenberg County 5, RHS 3
The Panthers led 3-2 going into the seventh inning, but the Mustangs go a run to tie it in the seventh and then scored a pair of runs for the win in the eighth. Hunter Gombs made his hit count, driving in two runs, to make Croslin the losing pitcher, but the runs weren’t earned.
Jacob Procter pitched six innings and allowed only two earned runs on one-hit ball, walking four and striking out five. Croslin pitched one and two-thirds innings, giving up two hits and two walks while fanning four. Will Broady pitched the win.
Denney doubled, Wright had two hits, while Croslin, Procter and Logan Hannah each got a single. Croslin drove in two runs. Wright, Jason Mitchell and Stratton scored the runs.
Trigg County 5, RHS 4
Again the Panthers had the lead most of the game, only to lose in the last at-bat. They were ahead 4-0 in the middle of the third, but the Wildcats scored two in the third and then single runs in the fourth, sixth and seventh.
Denney pitched six innings but loaded the bases in the seventh. Croslin came on and walked the only batter he faced, ending the game. Tyler Estes got the win for Trigg despite giving up 10 hits. He walked only one batter and struck out seven Panthers.
Croslin had three hits while Blick, Wright and Procter had two each and Stratton one. Wright and Procter doubled. Procter had two RBIS with Wright and Croslin getting one each.
Croslin stole two bases with Procter and Mitchell stealing one each.
Butler County 7, RHS 6
You guessed it. The winning run scored in the final inning. Coach Greg Shelton’s team led 3-0 going into the bottom of the fourth. A five-run fifth inning gave the Bears the lead, but RHS fought back to tie it in the sixth. An eighth inning was needed, and it was the homestanding Bears who picked up the run.
Croslin and Denney each had two hits and scored a pair of runs each. Hannah joined them with two hits. Also getting hits were Blick, Wright, Stratton and T.K. Hampton. Desmon Quarles and Evan Humphrey scored a run each.
Croslin pitched into the eighth and took the loss when Nichols gave up a walk with the bases loaded. Croslin struck out 13 batters. Rex Henderson got the win for Butler County despite giving up double-figure hits. He walked five and struck out four.
Trevor Parker and Henderson each got two hits for the winners.
Warren Central 4, RHS 3
It happened again. The Dragons scored a run in the seventh to win. This time the Dragons jumped ahead 3-0, but Russellville tied it in the sixth.
Procter pitched the first five innings, giving up three runs on five hits and four walks while striking out eight. Humphrey pitched well in two innings of work. He gave up the run on just one hit and no walks while fanning three.
Croslin and Wright had two hits each. Blick and Procter also got a hit. Brennan Hughes, Mitchell and Croslin scored the run.