Wildcats drop two close contests to end week

The Wildcats went into the final two games of the week last Thursday and Friday sporting a 2-2 record and hoping to move solidly into the win column. Unfortunately, both Nettleton and Walnut Ridge handed Trumann heartbreaking losses to drop the Cats' record to 2-4 for the year.

Nettleton 11, Trumann 7

The Wildcats traveled to Nettleton Thursday afternoon for a 4A-3 conference match-up and looked early on as if they were going to get their third win of the season. Blaike Jones, Jacob Jones and Kyle Barker, hitting in the 2-3-4 positions, all scored to put Trumann up 3-0.

"I thought we hit the ball a lot better than we had been," said coach Scott Brown of the effort. "We still made too many mental mistakes and it cost us some runs."

Those "mental mistakes" allowed the top of the Nettleton batting order to score four runs off of two hits and two errors, giving them a 4-3 lead going into the top of the second inning.

Neither team could score in the inning, though, Trumann striking out three times, but coming back and Nettleton down on three consecutive ground outs to bring up the third stanza.

Blaike Jones once again scored to even the game at 4-all, but the Cats could add no more runs as they entered the bottom of the third. The home team had their biggest inning as they added five more runs for a daunting 9-4 lead.

Trumann responded, though, as Blaike Jones once again scored along with Craig Criss and Jarrett Prince to pull the Wildcats back to within two, 9-7. Unfortunately, it would be the last runs of the afternoon for the visitors. Nettleton, however, added another two runs in the bottom of the sixth for the final 11-7 victory.

"Overall we're getting better," Brown continued. "The team is starting to grasp what we're trying to teach them."

On the mound, Prince started the game and in three innings gave up nine runs on six hits while walking two and striking out two. Darren King pitched the final four innings, giving up two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four.

Offensively, Barker was 2 for 4 with one run, three RBIs and one stolen base while Blaike Jones was 1 for 4 with three runs and three stolen bases. Ethan Heavener and Criss were also 1 for 4 with Heavener adding an RBI and Criss scoring one run. Prince and Jacob Jones finished the game with one run each.

Walnut Ridge 9, Trumann 6

The Wildcats went out of conference to play the 3A Bobcats of Walnut Ridge Friday in a home stand. Like the previous day, Trumann took an early lead, but watched as the third inning once again spelled doom for the Cats.

Walnut Ridge scored first, their lead-off man singling then being doubled in two batters later for a 1-0 lead. Austin Carter and Blaike Jones, the 1-2 hitters in the Wildcat lineup, scored after tripling and doubling respectively to get on base to give Trumann a 2-1 lead going into the top of the second.

"I thought we played better defensively than we did the day before," said Brown. "And we hit the ball well at times, but there are still too many mistakes we're making."

The Bobcats added another run in the top of the second to tie the game 2-all. Then when Trumann was unable to score any runs in the bottom of the inning, the game moved into the telling third.

After an opening ground-out, four of Walnut Ridge's next five batters scored off of two homers, a hit and two errors. Suddenly the Cats found themselves down 6-2. Barker managed to tack on a run in the bottom of the inning, but the Bobcats still enjoyed a 6-3 lead when they went back to the plate in the top of the fourth scoring two more runs.

Now down 8-3, the Cats needed a rally to recover -- unfortunately, one never materialized. Carter managed to score a run in the inning, but the deficit was still 8-4. Things looked a little more promising when Trumann managed to hold the Bobcats without a run for the first time in the top of the fifth. Sadly, Walnut Ridge returned the favor and the teams entered the final two innings.

The Bobcats scored once in their turn at bat, then Trumann added two more runs from Carter and Crew Parker to move to within three runs 9-6 with an inning remaining. The Wildcats once again set the Bobcats down in quick order. In their last at bat, Trumann could do no better, though, as the game ended, 9-6.

"We are still getting better," Brown concluded. "By the time the conference tournament rolls around we'll be ready."

Carter, Heavener and Jacob Jones were both 2 for 4 with Carter scoring three runs. Blaike Jones and Barker each went 1 for 4 with one run scored each. Parker finished 1 for 3 with one run while B.J. Carter was 1 for 1 and King 1 for 2.

Three pitchers occupied the mound, with Preston Jones beginning the game. He went three innings, giving up six runs on six hits while striking out two. Jacob Jones threw the next two innings, allowing two runs on three hits while fanning two. Barker finished on the mound, giving up one run on two hits while walking one and striking out two.