By Gary Lloyd
CLAY — Clay-Chalkville used timely hitting to earn a couple one-run wins over Pinson Valley on Opening Day on Monday.
Clay-Chalkville won 5-4 in eight innings and held on to win 10-9 in Game 2.
“It’s good to get two wins,” said first-year Clay-Chalkville head coach Bubba Roberts. “We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
In the first game, three straight Cougars were hit by pitches in the bottom of the eighth inning, the final one with the bases loaded. Senior second baseman Kyle Mosley was pegged, allowing Ty Lowe to score the winning run.
Junior pitcher Matthew Calvert got the win, pitching 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits. He struck out five and walked four. Sophomore Thomas Johns pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief, allowing just one run on one hit.
Clay-Chalkville senior outfielder Braxton Parvin slides into home on Monday.
photo by Ron Burkett
Pinson Valley senior Brent Stephens, who three five scoreless innings, had two hits and scored two runs. Senior Zac Ray had two hits and an RBI in the loss.
“I thought defensively we were pretty solid,” said second-year Pinson Valley head coach Shane Chappell. “We didn’t take advantage of some opportunities offensively. I think down the stretch when the game got tight, we didn’t pitch as well. We walked some guys. That was kind of the difference in that game.”
In the second game, senior outfielder Darius Baldwin went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBIs as the Cougars (2-0) held on for a 10-9 win over the Indians (0-2). Junior shortstop Tyler Duke had two hits, three RBIs and two runs scored for Clay-Chalkville, while Mosley totaled three hits, two RBIs and three runs scored.
Christian Crawford earned the win, pitching one inning of relief. He allowed two runs on two hits. Ray took the loss for Pinson Valley, pitching 1 2/3 innings and allowing six runs on six hits.
Senior Cody Dougherty had two hits and two runs scored, while junior third baseman Baker Hodge got a couple hits and an RBI for Pinson Valley.
Clay-Chalkville travels to Paul Bryant for a doubleheader Saturday. Pinson Valley plays a doubleheader at Walker on Saturday.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
