Bernie withstands late Senath-Hornersville rally, improves to 2-0 with 7-6 win

Note: A photo gallery of the Bernie-Senath-Hornersville baseball game is available at this link: View Photos Here

Editor's note: This story will also be available in the next print edition of Dexter Daily Statesman Saturday morning. BERNIE, Mo. - Bernie Mules baseball coach Darrin Shipman gave senior hurler Devin Trammell the opportunity to finish what he started against the Senath-Hornersville Lions in an untraditional kind of way Thursday afternoon.

Trammell, who was lifted after throwing four innings of no-hit ball, was put back into pitch with two outs in the top of the seventh inning when the Lions put the tying run in scoring position after collecting four seventh-inning hits off of reliever Austin Beck.

"It was a unique situation," Shipman said. "I thought Austin was pitching real good, but then they started hitting him. He only threw about six inning last year for us so I thought he did a good job in relief against a good team. He was starting to get tired and leaving balls over the plate. I didn't want to bring Brock in because he's pitching Friday so I took the calculated risk and brought Devin back into the game because he's a senior and I felt like he could do a good job for us."

The decision paid off as Trammell struck out the only hitter he faced in the top of the seventh inning to secure a 7-6 victory against Senath-Hornersville.

The Lions tallied four of its six hits and scored half of its six runs in the top of the seventh frame. Lathan Brooks and Brady Bibbs had RBI hits in the seventh before the Lions pushed across its final run when a runner from third base scored on a wild pitch.

"We played pretty well," Senath-Hornersville coach Jarvis Reed said of the heartbreaking one-run loss. "We made a few mistakes here and there that we will fix. I'm proud of the boys. They kept pushing and worked hard till the end and that's what I expect from them everytime."

The Lions threatened in a big way in the top of the first inning after its first three hitters reached base on two walks and a hit batter. Leadoff hitter Kyle Moore gave Senath-Hornersville a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when he scored from third base on a wild pitch. Trammell escaped the mess without additional damage by striking out the No. 4, 5 and 6 hitters in the Lions lineup.

An RBI single by Brock Beacham tied things up at 1-1 in the bottom of the first. Beacham added another RBI single in the bottom of the third inning to put Bernie on top 2-1.

Senath-Hornersville moved back ahead 3-2 with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning. Bibbs drove home the game-tying run with an RBI single in the top of the fifth.

Bernie responded with four runs in the bottom of the fifth to move ahead 6-3. Beacham, Trey Kirkpatrick and Austin Beck each calculated one RBI for the Mules in the fifth.

An RBI single by Kirkpatrick in the bottom of the sixth inning tacked on what proved to be a valuable insurance run.

Senath-Hornersville centerfielder Roberto Rodriguez robbed the Mules of additional runs with three gold glove caliber plays in the outfield.

"Outstanding," Reed said of his standout outfielder's defense. "He saved us a lot of runs. His effort kept us in the game. I'm very proud of Roberto."

Five hitters in the Bernie lineup finished with multiple hits. Matt Vernon, Beacham and Trammell went 2 for 3. Owen Foster was 3 for 4 and Kirkpatrick was 2 for 4.

"It's only two games into the season, but we are taking good at-bats," Shipman said. "Our guys are hitting the ball well and making the pitchers throw strikes."

Moncada reached base in all four plate appearances. He was hit by a pitch, drew two walks and collected a single.

"He showed some grit," Reed said of Moncada. "That's what we preach. I don't really know what else to say about that other than I'm pleased with the effort and discipline he showed."

Trammell did now allow a hit in 4 1/3 innings pitched. He struck out six batters in a row and finished with seven strikeouts.

Beck collected the other eight outs for the Mules on the hill.

Bibbs pitched the first 4 2/3 innings for Senath-Hornersville. Ricardo Salas pitched the rest of the way for the Lions.

"He did pretty well," Reed said of Bibbs. "He threw strikes, which I was pleased with. They just got some timely hits. They hit the gaps. We had a few Texas leaguers over first base that hurt us. Brady had a good performance and Ricky Salas came in and did a good job as well."

Senath-Hornersville (0-1) returns to action Tuesday when it visits Campbell.

Bernie (2-0) is slated to host defending state champion Cooter Friday.

"They are the defending state champs for a reason," Shipman said of Friday's highly anticipated contest. "They are a great program. We are looking forward to it. I told the kids yesterday 'we should embrace the two challenges of Senath and Cooter.' It's an opportunity to see where we are at."

Bernie 7, Senath-Hornersville 6

SHS 100 020 3 - 6 6 2

BHS 101 041 x - 7 12 1

WP - Devin Trammell. LP - Brady Bibbs. 2B - Lathan Brooks (SH). Trammell (B), Owen Foster (B). Multiple hits - Bernie: Matt Vernon 2-3, Brock Beacham 2-3, Trammell 2-3, Foster 3-4, Trey Kirkpatrick 2-4.