“The guys told me they really wanted to play today, and they definitely showed me that,” stated Coach Shea Smith. Play is exactly what the Fighting Cardinal baseball team did when they traveled to Pope County Thursday afternoon. In a wet week full of uncertainty of whether or not any games would be played, both teams took advantage of a dry moment to put their skills back into action on the baseball field.
First inning action started out favorable for NCOE as three players collected hits to score the first two Cardinal runs. Heading into the bottom half of the first inning NCOE protected this 2-0 lead by showing off some strong defense as well as impressive pitching. The top half of the second inning witnessed NCOE slowing down just a little, but still managing to knock out two hits and add another run to their cause, increasing their lead to 3-0. This is where the score would stay until the top half of the fifth inning. The Cardinal bats really came to life, for this inning would see NCOE collect four more hits with one being a home run from Andy Brinkley to extend their lead to 8-0. Stellar defense once again from the Fighting Cardinals held the Pirates scoreless in the bottom of the fifth inning. Cooper Wells got things going in the top of the sixth inning for NCOE when he pounded out a triple. Kyle Sell would follow this with a single of his own to score Wells and increase the NCOE lead to 9-0. These nine runs would be all NCOE would need, and then some, as they held the Pirates scoreless in their final two at bats to cruise to the victory and pick up their second consecutive conference win. This win improved NCOE to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the GEC.
Andy Brinkley led the Cardinal offense as he had four of the team’s 12 hits and one of those being a home run. He also collected three RBI’s on the day. Cooper Wells found himself a home run away from hitting for the cycle as he knocked out three hits of his own. Kyle Sell also had three hits for the Cardinals along with two RBI’s followed by Aaron Foley who had two hits, one of which was a double. Chase Sutton was credited with an RBI in the game.
In addition to carrying a hot bat, Andy Brinkley would be called upon for pitching duties in this game.
Coach Smith said, “It was Andy’s day. Pitching seven shutout innings and then hitting his team’s first home run of the year. That is a great day for anyone.”
Along with seven shutout innings, Brinkley only allowed two hits while striking out four in his complete game effort.
Coach Smith also added, “A great game was played today by the Cardinals. I told the guys after the game that this is what is going to define Cardinals baseball from here on out. Seemed like everything we have been working on finally clicked today.”
