— By LYNN WOMACK
Press Special Writer
WARNER – The Warner Eagles defeated the Hulbert Riders 7-2 Tuesday.
The Eagles scored three runs in the third, two in the fourth and two in the sixth for a Big Eight Conference win.
Hulbert’s Jeff Hardison went the distance for the loss. Hardison had four strike outs in six innings pitched. He faced 31 batters.
The Riders took a 1-0 lead in the first as Hardison was hit-by-pitch and scored on Chase Shankle's single. The Riders collected their second run in the fifth as Colton Hardison reached base on a fielders choice that forced Jayce Coulburn out at first base. Coulburn had led off the inning with a single. Colton Hardison advanced the second as Tyler Marley reached on a error. Colton Brave then sent Colton Hardison home on a double to center field to narrow WHS's lead to 5-2.
The Riders collected four hits in the game as Shankle, Coulburn and Marley all had singles. Brave had the only extra base hit with a double.
The Eagles scored three runs in the third inning to take a 3-1 lead. WHS was aided by three hits and three Rider errors.
Coulbun ended the inning with an unassisted double play as he caught a line drive then tagged the Eagle runner on third. WHS scored two more runs in the fifth for a 5-1 lead three hits and one error. The Eagles added two more runs in the sixth for 7-2 with was the final score. WHS had reached base on two hits and a walk.
The Riders are now 0-4 in league play and 0-5 overall. The Riders will be off until they will face Braggs on the road on March 22 at 4:00 p.m.
