Neelyville hands Bloomfield baseball team first loss 16-4

Note: A photo gallery of Saturday's action i available at this link: View Photos Here

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. - The Bloomfield Wildcats baseball team met its match for the first time this spring Saturday when it hosted the state-ranked Neelyville Tigers.

Neelyville, which is ranked No. 4 in the latest Class 2 state poll, scored the first eight runs and the last eight runs on its way to a 16-4 six-inning win against Bloomfield.

"We knew Neelyville was going to come out swinging," Bloomfield coach Tyler Trover said. "They are just a very good hitting ball club. Up and down their lineup they take quality at-bats. I thought we were a little star struck so to speak at the very beginning. It took a little while to figure out we can compete. They came out and knocked us in the jaw and that's what happens when you are not as confident as you need to be heading into a baseball game."

The Tigers scored six runs in the first inning and two more in the second frame to build an early 8-0 lead. The Wildcats tallied all four of its runs in the bottom of the second inning to cut the deficit to 8-4. Neelyville added eight runs in the top of the sixth inning to set the final score.

"We came out with a disciplined approach on a lefty," Neelyville coach Justin Dobbins said. "We stayed back and hit some balls the other way and got some runs early. We had some poor baserunning and got a little lax on our focus in the middle innings. At the end we were able to stay back and hit the ball to the right side. All of our home runs were from center to right field. You cannot always pull the ball. When we stayed disciplined we did things at the plate."

The Tigers hit four of its five home runs in the top of the sixth inning.

Cody Birdsong had a 3-run blast in the frame. He finished with a team-high four RBIs for the Tigers. Dylan Crossen and Cole Washburn added solo shots in the sixth and Lane Spencer had a two-run home run in the sixth.

Braden Dennis hit Neelyville's other home run with two runners on base in the top of the first inning.

Five Neelyville hitters had two hits. Leadoff hitter Hayden Cassinger was 2 for 3, Birdsong went 2 for 2, Spencer was 2 for 4 with three RBIs, Brett Luna was 2 for 3 with two RBI-singles and Dennis was 2 for 4 with a double and three RBIs

All seven of Bloomfield's hits were singles. Tim Fox finished 2 for 3 with a 2-RBI single in the second, Noah Vandiver was 2 for 3 and Jacob Hector was 2 for 3 with an RBI single in the second.

"I think most of the time we have good approaches at the plate," Trover said. "We are doing a good job right now. The inning we scored four we had some really good at-bats. We fouled off some tough pitches and put some good swings on balls. It was nice to see us grind it out and battle to get back in the game."

Crossen pitched the first five innings for Neelyville and picked up a win. He allowed seven hits, walked two and struck out eight.

Jesse McDaniel pitched a scoreless sixth inning for the Tigers. He walked two but did not allow a hit.

"We haven't got to throw either one of those guys as much as we want to because of the rain," Dobbins said. "They are going to be fine as soon as we can get them more innings. Both of those kids are compliments to the other guys we've got and we've just got to get them innings."

The Wildcats used three arms. Tim Hector pitched the first three innings. Vandiver pitched the next 2 1/3 innings before giving way to Jacob Hector with one out in the sixth.

Neelyville is slated to visit South Pemiscot Tuesday.

"We don't take anyone for granted and they are good," Dobbins said. "Some of our guys play legion with some of their guys. We know they will come out and battle us, but that's what we need right now. We are both trying to be at the top at the end of the year and to be at the top you have to play the teams at the top. That's why we go play the defending Class 4 state champs Brookland, Ark., and Poplar Bluff. Those teams make you be on your 'A game' and beat you if you are not."

Bloomfield (6-1) has a scheduled conference showdown at Advance Tuesday.

"It's always nice to get off to a good start like we have," Trover said. "We have seven games this week and I told the kids earlier 'it is about to get a lot tougher.' Hopefully, we can take some of the confidence we've had earlier in the season into this week and it will translate into wins."

DUSTIN WARD - dward@dailystatesman.com Bloomfield left-handed hitter Cameron Pulley eyes an incoming pitch.

Box Scores

NHS 620 008 - 16 13 1

BHS 040 000 - 4 7 4

WP - Dylan Crossen. LP - Tim Hector. HR - Cody Birdsong (N), Lane Spencer (N), Crossen (N), Cole Washburn (N), Braden Dennis (N). 2B - Jesse McDaniel (N), Dennis (N). Multiple hits - Neelyville: Hayden Cassinger 2-3, Birdsong 2-2, Brett Luna 2-3, Spencer 2-4, Dennis 2-4; Bloomfield: Tim Fox 2-3, Noah Vandiver 2-3, Jacob Hector 2-3.