BASEBALL: Warriors extend winning streak to nine games
DU QUOIN, IL - It was a spectacular, but somewhat crazy finish to a baseball game as DuQuoin Middle School won the game over Murphysboro in the bottom of the seventh inning 3-2 on Thursday evening.
The score was tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning. Braden Heape came to bat for the Warriors. Heape reached first on an error by the shortstop. Anthony Spiller came in to run for Heape. Klayton Donoghue laid down a nice sacrifice bunt to move the runner. No one from Murphysboro covered first on the bunt so Donoghue was safe, and Spiller headed to third. An errant throw to third allowed Spiller to score the winning run.
DuQuoin scored 2 runs in the fourth inning and one in the seventh, while Murphysboro scored their two runs in the sixth inning. DuQuoin is now 10-2 overall and 6-0 in the Conference. The Warriors are now in sole possession of first place in the conference after winning their last nine games in a row.
Braden Lee was the winning pitcher for DuQuoin. His record is 5-0. Lee went all seven innings allowing two runs (both earned) on 4 hits, had 3 walks and 5 strikeouts. The losing pitcher for Murphysboro was Hunter Neff. Neff allowed three runs (2 earned) on five hits, had two walks, and 4 strikeouts.
Caleb Vogel was 1-3, Braden Lee was 2-3 (a double), Jordan Edwards was 1-3 with an RBI, and Braden Heape was 1-3. Other Warriors in the game were Hank Stewart, Tevin Lee, Logan Morgan, Anthony Spiller, Ashton Smith, Josh Heape, Klayton Donoghue, and Luke Metten.
Coach Tim Craft commented: "It was a good win!! Braden Lee did a good job of pitching without his best stuff. He got a lot of ground balls, and the defense did a good job of fielding them. We executed really well in the last inning with the bunt. We need to do a better job with runners in scoring position, and getting them in with two outs."
Coach Craft is assisted by Jeromie Morgan, David Hopkins, Cory Robbins, and Roger Craft.
DMS doesn't play again until next week and all games are on the road. Tuesday is at Trico, Thursday is at Sparta, and Friday is at Marion.