Boys Spring Sports: Mt. Vernon spoils Panther diamond debut

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ The Mt. Vernon Rams exploded for six runs in the bottom of the third inning and cruised to a 9-1 win over the Pinckneyville Panthers in season-opening baseball action on Wednesday at Brennan Klein Memorial Field.

The Panthers got a run in the top of the first on a pair of Rams errors, but couldn't get a runner past first base the rest of the way.

Mt. Vernon got two in the first inning as Brian Sipe and then Jim Mulvaney each crossed the plate. The Rams scored six times before the first out was recorded in the third inning. Sipe, Mulvaney, Jesse Stuckey, Weston Mason, Steve Beckham and Zack Jones each scored in the frame.

The King City team got another run in the sixth, as Sipe scored for the third time in the game.

The balanced Rams roster for 2010 includes five seniors, six juniors and four sophomores. Mt. Vernon coach Tim Holloway could tell that he has an experienced ballclub.

"It's nice to open the season with a lot of veterans," said Holloway. "Not too many nerves. The guys just came out and played."

Mulvaney threw one-hit ball for six innings, issuing only one walk. Steve Beckham pitched a hitless and scoreless seventh inning.

With one on and one out in the top of the third inning, Pinckneyville's Drew Dudek cracked a low line drive. Rams third baseman Swinnen dove to his right, pulled the ball from his glove as he bounced on the dirt and was firing a rocket to first baseman Mason by the time he was on his feet.

Mulvaney led the Rams at the plate, going 3-4, including a double. Rams catcher Sipe was 2-3, as was Stuckey. Both Sipe and Stuckey also doubled in the game.

"I really didn't think we looked like we were ready to play today, which falls on my shoulders as the coach, because I thought we were further along than how we played." Panthers coach Alan Engelhardt said.

"Defensively, we didn't make plays behind our pitchers, committing six errors; most of which occurred because we were flat-footed, playing reactionary rather than being on our toes playing a play ahead. Offensively we were trying to time the pitcher too much."

Dudek was the losing pitcher and had the lone RBI for the Panthers with Hunter Queen also hitting safely.

PCHS plays again at home Friday, hosting Okawville.

Mt. Vernon 9, Pinckneyville 1

PCHS 100 000 00-1 2 6

Mt. Vernon 206 001 x-9 8 1

LP-Dudek, 0-1. PCHS TOP HITTERS: Queen 1-3, Dudek 1-3 (RBI).

-Jeff Profitt and Doug Daniels contributed