DC Redbirds sweep past Paragould in home opener

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Dunklin County's Cameron Wallace pitches in the rain during Tuesday's doubleheader against Paragould RC. [Click to enlarge]

Excelling in three key categories in baseball will generally earn victories: defense, pitching and hitting.

Dunklin County's Junior American Legion team executed soundly in those categories during their doubleheader sweep of Paragould RC Tuesday at Indian Park, winning 10-1 and 18-0.

The Redbirds were paced in the first game with the performance of their pitcher, Cameron Wallace, who worked quickly and effectively. The Kennett native tossed four innings of one-hit ball while striking out three and walking one to earn the victory. He retired the first six batters he faced before yielding an unearned run in the top of the third.

Paragould got on the board when Chase McCreless led off the inning with a single. McCreless advanced to second on a fielder's choice before advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kaymon Bryant, and he later scored on an error.

Dunklin County answered back in the bottom of the third, tacking on an unearned run. Joe Campbell laced a two-out double to left-center and scored the tying run on a misplayed grounder.

Dunklin County tacked on two more runs in the fourth when Trey Bazzell led off with a single and stole second. Thomas Stillman drove him home with a single and then scored a run of his own when Wallace drew a bases-loaded walk to make the score 3-1.

The Redbirds put the game out of reach in the fifth with a seven-run inning, highlighted by Gage Blue's two hits and three RBIs. Stillman, Campbell, Billy Fender and Andy Lack joined Blue in the RBI category that inning.

Lack tossed two perfect frames in relief of Wallace while striking out two. Bazzell closed out the game by striking out the side in the seventh.

Dunklin County coach Aaron New said that his lineup's balance was key in the game.

"We feel like we have 18 guys capable of going in and helping us at the plate at any time," New said. "That's the way we've played so far, and hopefully guys will continue to swing the bats.

Dunklin County was also aided by great defensive play in the first game, highlighted by Campbell's diving grab in left field and shortstop Andrew Hooper's back-to-back plays in the sixth that showcased his range up the middle and in the hole. New said he was pleased with the defense.

"We've got a lot of guys capable of playing good team defense for us," New said. "The biggest thing right now is getting everyone enough reps in practice to keep that up."

Pitching also dominated the second game of the doubleheader for Dunklin County. Redbird pitching recorded 12 strikeouts in five innings of work in the nightcap, limiting Paragould to zero runs on three hits.

Adam Grantham started for Dunklin County, throwing two innings and striking out six while giving up one hit. Dylan Lynn picked up the win as he tossed two one-hit innings while striking out five. Fender threw the final inning, striking out one and giving up one hit.

Dunklin County was aided by six Paragould errors and several wild pitches in the nightcap on their way to six runs in the first inning, five in the third and seven in the fourth for a final score of 18-0.

Seven Redbirds recorded RBIs in the game, with five of them -- Daniel Lockhert, Chris Smith, Logan Dollins, Blue and Lynn -- driving in multiple runners.