Mullenax saves team from no-hitter with single in fifth
The Pocahontas County Warriors baseball squad traveled to Hot Springs last Thursday to challenge their interstate rivals, the Bath County Chargers. It was a beautiful spring day for the game and, win or lose, it was a good time for all spectators and players.
Unfortunately for Pocahontas, Bath County pitcher Derek Oliver had an exceptional outing, fanning seven Warrior batters and forcing several ground outs. The Warriors narrowly avoided a no-hitter in the top of the fifth inning, when freshman outfielder Caleb Mullenax got on base with a single. The Chargers ended the contest in the bottom of the frame when they scored a run and took a 10-0 lead, invoking the five-inning mercy rule.
The Warriors best chance to score came in the second inning, when seniors Judd Walther and Brandon Hamons walked with no outs. But Oliver responded with two strikeouts and a ground out to stifle the threat.
The Warriors, coming off a win against Richwood last Tuesday, dropped to 4-7 with the loss. The team has shown continual improvement since the beginning of the season. Seven of the Warriors’ 14 baseball players are freshmen, showing outstanding potential.
The Warriors travel to Tygarts Valley on Thursday for a 4:30 p.m. contest, and will host the Chargers in a rematch at Stillwell Park on Friday at 4:30 p.m. The team is playing all of its games this season at the park, due to construction and a poorly-drained field at the high school.