Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Curley Wolves Drop Two Baseball Games In 7AAA Action

Spring Break didn't help Prescott's baseball team in the least.

After having a week off the Wolves returned to action and dropped two straight, neither of them pretty.

BISMARCK 10

PRESCOTT 0

The Wolves hit the road traveling to Bismarck Tuesday, April 4, and were hammered by the Lions 10-0 in a game called after four-and-a-half innings because of the 10-run rule.

A lead off homer with an 0-2 count put the Wolves in the hole immediately.

Then, with two down in the first, a single and dropped ball in the outfield gave Bismarck a 2-0 lead.

The Lions added three more in the bottom of the second on a single and two walks to load the bases. The second single in the frame sent two home, while a wild pitch let the third runner score.

Bismarck continued taking advantage of Prescott mistakes in the bottom of the third, adding another three runs to make it 8-0.

Three errors led to the first run crossing home plate. A throw to second while trying to catch a runner stealing got past the second baseman, shortstop and center fielder allowed the second run to score. The third man went home on a fielder's choice ground out.

The game came to an end in the fourth, for all intents and purposes, when a single and walk put runners on first and second. A ground ball scored one, while the other run scored on an error.

This made it 10-0 going into the top of the fifth. However, Prescott's offense didn't show up and the game ended in short order.

Josh Bullock took the loss. He went the distance fanning three, walking three, and allowing 10 runs on five hits.

Ronnie Nolen, Josh Bullock and Toby Bullock all singled in the contest.

"It was the first game back after spring break," Coach Steve Crow said.

"It appeared, after it was 5-0, we had some players give up, and we haven't had that happen all season. I don't ever remember an opponent scoring 10 runs on five hits."

Crow said the Wolves didn't hit the ball, recording three in the game, while 10 batters were struck out.

He added the defense was also lacking as there were five errors made defensively.

"Hopefully," he said, "sometime before the season is over we'll make up our minds to start playing like I think we are capable of."

NASHVILLE 11

PRESCOTT 1

When the Wolves went to Nashville Thursday, April 6, their game hadn't shown much improvement as the game was called in the bottom of the fifth because of the 10-run rule.

The Scrappers scored in the bottom of the first on a walk and single.

Prescott rallied in the second to tie the game at 1-1, when Matt Yates walked. Brandon Tullis grounded out to score Yates.

But, this was the only offense the Wolves had for the remainder of the game.

Nashville's offense kicked into another gear in the bottom of the third, scoring four runs. The Scrappers had five hits and a walk in the frame as they went up 5-1.

Five Scrappers scored in the fourth. This time the scoring came from four hits, a walk and two errors.

The score was 10-1 going into the bottom of the fifth. With two down, Nashville managed to score on a pair of hits and yet another Prescott error to win the game.

Ryan Burdue was the losing pitcher, going 3 2/3 innings. He struck two out, gave up three walks and was tagged for 10 runs on 10 hits.

John Fulmer spent an inning on the hill. He walked one, gave up two hits and allowed one run.

Keon Sockwell, Nolen, Mark Jones all had a hit in the game. Yates managed to score the team's only run, while Tullis got the lone RBI.

"Stats from this game are almost identical to the day before at Bismarck," Crow said. "But we did play much better. We made a few mistakes in the field (three errors) and Burdue pitched much better than the score indicates."

Nashville, though, starts five seniors and has seven starters back from last year's team, giving the Scrappers a wealth of experienced players.

"They are tremendous hitters," Crow said, "are solid on defense, have quality pitching and depth. It looks like either them or De Queen will win the regular season championship."

The Wolves, Crow said, competed hard and played with Nashville early on.

"I was proud of that," he said. "I think it really got their attention."

But the Wolves still have offense problems. Prescott has only managed 13 base runners in its last 12 innings.

"If we don't start hitting the ball again like we did a couple of weeks ago," Crow said, "we'll have a hard time beating anybody."