Cooter Wildcats baseball team gets four more wins

After returning from the Labor Day weekend break, the Cooter Wildcats (13-1 as of Sept. 11) continued on their winning ways in 2017 fall baseball, soundly defeating Bell city 15-5 Wednesday, Sept 6. The ‘Cats scattered 13 hits in the victory, led by Dylan Smelly who blasted a pair of home runs to go along with a single. Lane McLevain ripped three hits, and Dawson Treat slapped a double and single. Layton Robinson slugged two singles, while Christian Gunnels, Jacob Watkins and Hayes Austin all had one hit apiece for Cooter. On the mound, Treat got the start. He pitched three innings of two-hit ball, striking out six and allowing one earned run. Robinson pitched the final four frames, giving up four earned runs off two hits and fanning two batters.

The Wildcats recorded their next win Thursday, Sept. 7 against Holcomb, stinging the Hornets 16-6. Pacing Cooter at the plate with a double and single was Hayes Austin. Christian Gunnels and Lane McLevain belted a double each, while Dawson Treat Luke Perkins, Dylan Smelley, Chris Crowder and Zach Pendergrass had one hit apiece. The Wildcats’ starting pitcher was Preston Hatch who hurled 4 1/3 innings of five-hit ball, allowing five earned runs and striking out seven. Bryson Plunkett pitched the final 2/3 innings, striking out one.

On Cooter’s home field Saturday, Sept 9, the ‘Cats defeated Twin Rivers 9-4. In the batter’s box, Dalton Barron had a big day, smacking two doubles and a single. Dawson Treat and Jacob Watkins ripped a pair of hits each, and Chris Crowder drilled a double. Zach Pendergrass added a hit for Cooter. On the hill, Bronson Wicker got the starting nod. Wicker pitched two innings, allowing one earned run off two hits while fanning one batter. Andy Carrillo pitched two innings, giving up one earned run and three hits and striking out two. Dylan Smelley served as the ‘Cats’ closer. He pitched three innings and gave up four hits but zero earned runs, striking out three.

In their second game of the day Sept. 9, Cooter beat South Pemiscot 16-3. Leading Cooter at the plate was Christian Gunnels with a double and two singles. Dylan Smelley slugged a double and single, and Zach Pendergrass belted a pair of singles. Jacob Watkins and Chris Crowder smashed a double each. Hayes Austin slapped a grand slam home run, and Dawson Treat had a single for the Wildcats. Treat was the starting pitcher for the Wildcats, racking up six Ks and giving up two hits and no earned runs. Layton Robinson closed.