Despite Cabool’s early lead, the Mansfield Lions returned home with an 8-3 win against the Bulldogs and their veteran pitcher Friday night.
Cabool came out ready to play, leading off with three singles and two runners scoring in the first. But Mansfield settled in quickly, picking up their defense and allowing only two hits the rest of the game.
Back-to-back lead-off doubles from Triston Cannon (DH) and Jacob Gray opened the fourth inning. Both runners scored after a walk by Mason Roy and an RBI double by Jonah Williamson. Williamson later scored on an error, and the Lions led 7-3.
Mansfield added to their score in the final frame and sealed the win with an RBI by Devin Kingery to drive in Sean Neal.
“I think they just beat us,” said Cabool head coach Brady Dean. “Our pitcher threw well, but they had timely hitting when we did not. If you look at a line score, usually a team that has a big inning is the winner.”
Cabool’s pitcher, senior Tanner Barnes, struck out four on the night and showed great control by allowing only one walk. “Tanner Barnes had a great game on the mound,” said Coach Dean. “He kept throwing strikes and they hit them whenever he made a mistake, and there’s not really anything you can do as a pitcher on that one.”
Mansfield head coach Doug Jones said he thought his pitchers and his team responded well to their early deficit.
“We’re young, so we’re still kind of a work in progress,” said Coach Jones, “ but we have a want-to in this group, which is kind of why I’m still doing it. I thought our pitchers did a really good job, especially after giving up three early. I thought our shortstop had a great game defensively, and the starting pitcher had a nice game at the bat, too and had a solid game.”
Starting pitcher Jonah Williamson struck out 10 batters.
Coach Jones, who is in his 30th year at Mansfield and is coaching the children of several former players, credited the team’s success thus far to his assistant coaches, Dr. Gary Greene, who is also the Middle School Principal, and Dr. Nathan Moore, Superintendent of Schools.
Mansfield moves to 4-1 on the season and Cabool drops to 3-3.
Mansfield 0 2 1 4 0 0 1
Cabool 2 0 1 0 0 0 0
