Tiger nine use two late long balls to turn back Rolla’s JV Bulldogs

By Will Johnson, Sports Editor
Posted 3/22/23

VIENNA -— Better late than never.

That was the feeling late Monday night at Vienna City Park for Bryce Gehlert’s Belle Tiger baseball team in the opening round of the Stoutland …

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Tiger nine use two late long balls to turn back Rolla’s JV Bulldogs

Posted

VIENNA -— Better late than never.

That was the feeling late Monday night at Vienna City Park for Bryce Gehlert’s Belle Tiger baseball team in the opening round of the Stoutland Spring Classic against Rolla’s JV Bulldogs.

Nursing a 4-3 lead entering the bottom of the fifth inning, the Tigers turned to the long ball to add to their lead.

Zane Strunk hit a solo home run in the fifth before Carter Kinkead launched a three-run shot to left field in the bottom of the sixth giving relief pitcher Kameron Newton more breathing room before the Tigers went on to an opening-round 8-3 victory.

Down 3-0 entering the bottom of the second inning, Belle was able to tie the game at 3-3 with the aid of only one base hit.

Newton started the frame with a leadoff walk before Garrett Gehlert walked and Isaiah Sullinger was hit by a pitch to load the bases for leadoff hitter Blake Henry.

In spite of Henry retired via the infield-fly rule, Newton scored on a Bulldog throwing error getting Belle on the board.

After a Kaiden Robertson strikeout, Clayton Shockley delivered a clutch two-out, two-RBI double scoring Gehlert and Sullinger to knot the game at 3-3 after two innings.

Moving to the bottom of the third inning, Strunk was hit by a pitch with one out before later scoring on an error to put the Tigers in front for good by a 4-3 score after three frames from a cold Vienna City Park.

Following a scoreless fourth inning, Newton got an inning-ending double play in the top of the fifth helping him pitch around a pair of JV Bulldog singles.

Two pitches into the bottom of the fifth, Strunk deposited an 0-1 pitch over the right-field fence for a solo home run and a 5-3 lead.

During the bottom of the sixth inning, Rolla’s JV Bulldogs found out the hard way that walks can come back to bite you.

Robertson and Shockley drew back-to-back free passes with one out setting up Kinkead looking to clean up the bases.

In the hole with a 1-2 count, Kinkead parked the very next pitch over the left-field fence for a three-run home run giving the Tigers their final margin of victory.

Newton earned the win pitching the final six innings in relief of starter Hank Stratman.

Allowing no runs on three hits over six innings, Newton only gave up one walk while striking out seven JV Bulldogs.

Following the Stoutland Tournament, Belle will open regular-season play on Tuesday, March 28 on the road in Iberia against the Rangers with a 5 p.m., first pitch.