Cass splits opening day DH

Following a week filled with cancelations, postponements, and delays, the Cass baseball team finally got the 2019 season started Saturday with a home doubleheader split with Sonoraville.

The Colonels won the opener 10-9 but suffered a 5-2 setback in the second game.

Cass and Sonoraville swapped the lead six times in the first game. The visiting Phoenix held leads of 1-0, 3-2, and 9-7. Cass had leads of 2-1, 7-3, and the all-important final advantage of 10-9. Bryson Markley had three hits, including a pair of triples and two RBI in the victory. He also scored the game winning run in the sixth inning on a passed ball. Thomas Botts had a pair of hits including a sixth inning, two-run home run that tied the game 9-9. Matt Shook also contributed a pair of hits and a sacrifice fly. Sam Melton and Karson Kelley had the other Colonels’ base hits. Clay Means (2 IP, 6R, 3ER, 5H, 0BB, 2K) picked up the pitching victory in relief of starter Jayden Smith (5 IP, 3R, 0ER, 3H, 2BB, 4K).

In Game 2, Sonoraville scored five runs in the first two frames and made the lead hold up in a 5-2 win. Cass out hit the Phoenix six to four, but did commit four errors in the loss that led to a pair of unearned runs. Sonoraville improved to 1-3 on the season with the second game win. Shook had two hits for Cass including a double. Botts and Means also doubled with one RBI each. Smith and Melton added one hit apiece. Botts (1.1 IP, 5R, 3ER, 2H, 4BB, 3K) started on the mound and suffered the pitching loss for Cass. Logan Nelson (4.2 IP, 0R, 2H, 4BB, 5K) and Nic Wallin (1 IP, 0R, 1BB, 2K) pitched in relief.

Cass (1-1) plays at Sprayberry Monday at 5:30 p.m. and travels to Rockmart Tuesday for a 5:30 p.m. start.