Woodpecker Classic kicks off

sports@standard-democrat.com

CHARLESTON -- Kicking off the Woodpecker Classic on Thursday afternoon the Charleston Woodpeckers watched an early seven-run lead slip away as New Madrid County put together a 10-run sixth to win 14-10.

"We played pretty well for about five-and-a-half innings," Charleston coach Paul Bucher said. "Then the bottom of the sixth killed us giving up a ten spot. You can't beat anybody giving up ten runs in an inning.

"That's just kind of the way we've been playing. We'll get up on some teams then we'll have one or two bad innings. Today it was the sixth for us."

Leading 8-4 heading in the sixth the Woodpeckers saw New Madrid County take advantage of six hits and three walks in the frame take 14-8 lead heading into the seventh.

Though Charleston came back in the final frame and drove in a pair of runs off hits by Cole Byford and Byron Reeves to close back to within four, New Madrid County was able to get the final out of the game on a ground ball to the second baseman to secure the comeback.

Nathan Maynard, Ryan Mathis, Byford and Reeves contributed two hits each to Charleston's cause as the Woodpeckers finished with a 12-hit performance.

Finishing the game with seven hits, New Madrid County was led by Hunter Ivie who went 2 for 2 while scoring a a pair of runs.

Jackson 10, Bardwell 8

Putting together back-to-back five run innings in the third and fourth, Jackson's Senior Babe Ruth team defeated the Bardwell, Ky. Bats 10-8.

Taking a 10-5 lead into the sixth inning Jackson saw the Bats rally for three runs in the frame to close back to within two.

Regaining his composure in the seventh, however, relief pitcher Jesse Long got two quick pop outs to center to start the final frame before forcing Bardwell to strand a pair of runners, including the winning run at first, when he got the Bats leadoff hitter to fly out to left field to end the game.

With nine hits on the game Jackson was led by Spencer Sander and Shawn Hadler who had two hits each, including a double by Sander.

"I thought we played pretty well after getting down early 2-0," Jackson coach Paul Sander said. "I was really impressed with their first pitcher, (Todd Adams), he had great velocity, but we pressed the envelope on him and we made them make some plays on some bunts and stolen bases.

"They kind of fell apart on those plays and didn't make them."

Picking up the win Matt Stueve went three innings in middle relief while Long collected the save pitching the final two innings of the contest.

Squirrels 20, Woodpeckers 5

Closing out the first night of the tournament, the Charleston Squirrels and Charleston Woodpeckers battled through a rain-soaked three innings before the Squirrels won 20-5 on the mercy rule.

After putting together back-to-back three run innings in the first and second to take a 6-5 lead into the bottom of the third the Squirrels took advantage of plenty of walks mixed with some big hits to put together a monster 14-run rally.

Easily batting around the order in the frame the Squirrels drew 10 walks to go along with three hits as nine of the first ten batters would cross the plate.

"Anytime we win it's a good win," Squirrels' coach Michael Minner said. "We're excited, we'll play New Madrid (today) and hopefully we'll beat them and have a chance to play somebody for the championship on Saturday."

Leading the Squirrels, Seth Childers finished the game going 2 for 2 while Nathan Rodgers hit a stand up triple in the third to keep the rally alive.