Bulls drop 'Birds

SIKESTON - The Sikeston Bulls continued their winning ways with a 3-2 victory over the visiting Farmington Firebirds in Kitty League action on Friday night at VFW Stadium.

With the win, the Bulls have won two in a row and four of the last five games. Sikeston got a good combination of solid pitching and clutch hits to put out the Firebirds.

"The guys did an outstanding job tonight from first pitch to last pitch," said Bulls manager Matt Marshall. "You can't ask for more from a starting pitcher (Andrew Moss). We played some excellent defense and Andrew just did a great job on the mound. We got some timely hits when we needed them and it was just a total effort tonight."

Moss went eight innings and allowed two runs on five hits, walked one and struck out eight in the contest.

"I felt all right out on the mound," said Moss. "I didn't have my best stuff, but I did what I could and it worked out okay. Farmington has lost some key guys from last year's team, but they have some hitters you have to fear a little bit. I played with some of the guys in college at Mineral Area, so I had a little extra motivation to get the win. This game meant a lot to me and it is a good win for the team."

Andrew Moss

Andrew Moss

The Bulls got all the runs they would need in the bottom of the third inning. Catcher Nico Gregali led of the third with a single. Gregali reached third base on a Jared Elmore double to deep left field.

With runners on second and third with no outs, Sikeston High graduate Jamie Puckett delivered a two-run double to put the Bulls ahead 2-0. Designated hitter Sean Bard drove in Puckett with a RBI single, which proved to be the game-winning run for the Bulls. Sikeston led 3-0 after three innings of action.

The Firebird bats were held silent much of the contest, as Farmington registered only four hits through seven innings off Sikeston's Moss.

Farmington stayed in the contest largely on the effort of starting pitcher Mike Hardin. The crafty lefty pitched a complete game for the Firebirds and gave up three runs on six hits, walked two and struck out three.

The Bulls ran into some trouble in the top of the eighth inning. Austin Swain reached first as he was hit-by-pitch with one out. Center fielder Tyler Pittman promptly doubled to drive in Swain for the first Firebird run.

Pittman reached third base and was driven in by a sacrifice fly by Farmington's first baseman Ryan Becker. Moss settled down to get the last out of the inning and was in the driver's seat for the win up 3-2 heading into the ninth.

Bulls closer Dan Robbins picked up his second save of the season, striking out two Firebird batters to end the game and preserve the victory.

Swain led Farmington with two hits while Pittman, Zac Blemker, Luke Garber and pinch hitter Bryan Propst recorded hits for the Firebirds.

Puckett led the offensive charge for the Bulls going 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs and a run scored. Elmore had a double and a run scored, while shortstop Tyler Martin induced two bases on balls for Sikeston.

"Every day, every game, our guys are making strides towards becoming a solid team," said Marshall. "Good things are starting to happen for us and our bats are coming around. The guys are getting use to the wood bats. We have been doing some extra instructions with our hitting and some different techniques the guys can use at the plate. We have been working on hitting for a solid week now, so it is starting to sink in with the players."

Sikeston (6-7) continued a three-game series with Farmington (6-10) on Saturday and today at 3:05 p.m. Results were not available at press time. The Bulls will also be in action at VFW Stadium on Monday at 7:05 p.m. against the Fulton, Ky. Railroaders.

Sikeston 3, Farmington 2

Farmington 000 000 020 - 2 6 3

Sikeston 003 000 00x - 3 6 0

WP - Andrew Moss (1-2)

LP - Mike Hardin (2-2)

S - Dan Robbins (2)

2B - Jared Elmore (S), Jamie Puckett (S), Tyler Pittman (F)

LOB - Sikeston (7), Farmington (7)

Records - Sikeston 6-7, Farmington 6-10