Bulldogs Varsity Baseball

Brookfield remained on a roll, winning its third straight game against Palmyra, 7-4, in Friday's Clarence Cannon Conference baseball action. Brookfield improved to 3-1 in conference play and won its 5th game in the past six.

Palmyra started the first with its first two batters reaching safely via a walk and single. However, one base runner was erased by an unconventional 1-5-3 double play. The Panthers still managed a run on a Bulldog error.

The Bulldogs answered quickly, as lead-off man Colton Parn singled, and Trayce Switzer tripled to right, scoring Parn. Peyton Parn followed with an RBI groundout.

Gifted by a pair of errors and a groundout, the Panthers knotted the score at 2-2 in the next inning.

The 'Dogs led off the bottom of the second with singles by Gage Ludington and Bryson Shoop. Colton Parn reached on an RBI groundout, but an error moved Parn and Shoop to second and third, respectively. Switzer's RBI single scored Shoop, and a walk to Peyton Parn loaded the bases. Hank Park's groundout scored a third run, and Brookfield was up for good, 5-2.

The Panthers were held scoreless in the next two innings, which included a third-inning leadoff single being erased by a 6-4-3 double play. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, scored unearned single runs in the 3rd and 4th innings, as the Panthers committed three, and then two errors, in each of the frames, both with two outs.

However, Brookfield returned the favor in the 5th. A single and double with one out had Palmyra threatening. An error scored one run, and an RBI groundout plated another, cutting the deficit to 7-4.

Riley Hinkle, who started and pitched well in earning the win, got out of minor trouble in the 6th. He tossed six innings, allowing just two earned runs on five hits and four walks, while striking out three.

Garret Wood relieved in the 7th and promptly walked the lead-off hitter. He induced a ground ball for the Bulldogs' third double play of the game and fanned the final batter, getting the save.

Switzer (2 RBI, 3B, run) and Hinckle led the 'Dogs with two hits apiece. Colton Parn (RBI, 2 runs, BB, SB), Shoop (2 runs, SB), Ludington (run) and Wood each added a hit. Peyton Parn and Parks (SB) each knocked in a run.

The Bulldogs (5-7) visit Monroe City on Monday.

​Story by: Dennis Hughes