Crowder pitcher no-hits Mineral Area
JOPLIN, Mo. – Crowder pitcher Aaron Ashby quickly worked through the Mineral Area baseball lineup in game one of a doubleheader on Friday, striking out 13 in a five-inning no-hitter.
The Roughriders were also dominant offensively with 20 hits in a 17-0 rout. Kobe Morris paced the team by going 4-for-4 with a home run to lead off the game plus two doubles.
Ashby had an electric start for Crowder by striking out the side in each of the first two innings. He fanned the final three batters for Mineral Area (13-15, 9-6) to close out the game.
The Roughriders scored in each frame, but really created separation by notching 10 runs during the fourth. Samuel Chaput and Colten Nix highlighted the big inning by recording two run home runs just two batters apart for a 10-0 lead.
Nix ended perfect on three at-bats with three RBI while Quinn Cherry, Tyler Duncan and Brinson Williams each went 2-for-4. Freilin Cabrera and Chaput each added a pair of hits in the victory.
The Cardinals exhausted four pitchers in attempt to cool off the scorching opposing offense. Travis Turnbough allowed five earned runs on nine hits during the first 2 1/3 innings for the loss.
Spencer Burnhan and Kory Ramsey each allowed four runs in a relief effort before Garrison Keene gave up two hits in the final inning.
Bryce Barlett started the second game for Crowder, and struck out eight while allowing three runs through five innings. Chase Kyzer closed out the final two frames of a 17-4 victory by giving up one run on four hits.
The Roughriders scored in each inning, and finished with 17 hits. Williams was 3-for-3 at the plate, including a two-run shot in the opening frame.
Cooper King also went 3-for-3, and added four RBI in the win. Cabrera provided three hits with two RBI, and Nix finished 2-for-2 plus a pair of RBI.
Luke Price and Cherry each produced two hits for Crowder while Drew Reilly and Morris each contributed singles.
John Beneveolent went 2-for-4 and was the lone Cardinal to post multiple hits. Liam Hicks highlighted the Mineral Area offense with a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to bring the margin within 8-3.
J.C. Delgado drove in the final run for the Cardinals in the bottom of the seventh with a single. Trent Tompkins, Caleb Feuerstake and Dalton Cook each recorded a hit.
Luis Acuna worked the first four innings for Mineral Area, and allowed nine hits while striking out six.
Brandt Busenbark gave up three runs on four hits through 1 1/3 innings. Zach Schaefer closed the game for the Cardinals, and surrendered five runs on four hits.
The teams will finish a four-game series on Saturday in Joplin.
In this Saturday, Mar. 3, file photo, Mineral Area freshman Caleb Feuerstake lines a single during a home game against North Central. The Cardinals have dropped their first games in a Region 16 series against Crowder.
