County rivals Walker Valley and Bradley Central finally got to lock horn Tuesday at Mike Turner Field after Monday's planned home-and-home opener was washed out.
Five hurlers combined to allow just a half dozen hits and two earned runs as the Mustangs overcame a trio of errors for a 2-1 victory. Monday's game has been reset for April 21 at the McKenzie Baseball Complex.
Walker Valley (6-6) will open play in the Pounder Classic, traveling to co-host Hixson Wednesday at 5 p.m.
before battling Yorkville (Ill.) Thursday evening. The Mustangs will head to Harrison Friday night and Saturday afternoon to take on co-host Chattanooga Central and Signal Mountain respectively..
Bradley (6-8-1) will head across the river to tangle with Rhea County Thursday evening.
MUSTANGS 2, BEARS 1: Both teams put up a run in its first at bats.
After the first two Bradley batters got out, junior Tyler Cook drew the first of his three free passes in the contest before Nathan Thompson stoked what turned out to be just one of two Bear hits. The first of the Mustang miscues allowed the base runners to advance to second and third.
Cook came home on a failed fielder's choice on a grounder by senior Carson Stott.
Walker Valley's Owen Sneed led off the bottom of the first with an infield single, beating the throw to first.
Cleveland State signee Jordan Smith followed with a walk, before Maryville signee Titus Torbett grounded out to the left side to advance both runners up a base.
Cason Cunningham delivered a two-out hit to plate Sneed with the game-tying run.
After a scoreless second inning, the Mustangs picked up the game-winner when Zander Neuendorf opened the bottom of the third with a double to left field.
After a ground out by Sneed moved him to third, Smith singled Neuendorf home with the deciding score.
Bradley got two baserunners on in both the fifth and sixth frames, but couldn't get the tying run home, leaving eight "ducks on the pond" altogether.
A trio of Walker Valley hurlers combined on a two-hitter, but did surrender a half dozen free passes, in the win.
Union Commonwealth University signee Cooper Cantrell gave both Bear hits, while striking out three and walking two in the first three innings for the victory.
Maryville College signee Titus Torbett earned a hold with a trio of hitless frames, setting down eight Bears on strikes and giving up a trio of "freebies."
Smith moved from behind the dish to the hill for the final frame, striking out three and walking one for the save.
Bradley starter Bronson Stone had a quality start, going four frames, allowing four hits, while notching three Ks and walking a trio, plus both Mustang earned runs.
Carter Bohlken tossed a couple of hitless, scoreless frames for Bradley, striking out three and giving up a base on balls.
GAME SUMMARY
Tuesday, March 25
at Mike Turner Field
Bradley Central 100 000 0 — 1 2 0
Walker Valley 101 000 x — 2 4 3
WP: Cooper Cantrell 3 IP, 3 Ks, 2 hits, 2 BB, 0 ER. LP: Bronson Stone 4 IP, 3 Ks, 4 hits, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 2 ER. Hold: Titus Torbett 3 IP, 8 Ks, 0 hits, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 0 ER. Save: Jordan Smith 1 IP, 3 Ks, 0 hits, 1 BB, 0 ER. 2B: Zander Neuendorf (WV). RBI: Carson Sott (BC); Cason Cunningham (WV). HIGLIGHTS: Nathan Thompson 1-3; Jadon Griffey 1-4; Tyler Cook 2 BB, HBP, RS (BC): Neuendorf 1-1, 2B, BB, RS; Cunningham 1-3, RBI; Smith 1-2, BB; Owen Sneed 1-3, RS (WV). RECORDS: Bradley Central 6-8-1; Walker Valley 6-6.