After navigating another difficult regular-season schedule, the Perryville Pirates will turn their attention toward postseason baseball as Class 4 District 2 tournament play begins later this month.
Perryville is part of a district field that includes Ste. Genevieve, Festus, Hillsboro, De Soto, North County and Potosi.
The Pirates spent much of the spring facing larger-school competition and experienced programs from both the Jefferson County Athletic Association and Cape area. Perryville’s schedule included games against Windsor, Festus, Saxony Lutheran, St. Vincent, Jackson, Farmington and Ste. Genevieve.
That experience could benefit the Pirates entering district play, particularly in a bracket that again appears balanced from top to bottom.
Perryville has leaned on strong pitching depth and timely hitting throughout the spring, with several younger players gaining valuable varsity innings during the regular season. The Pirates also showed the ability to compete in close games against several district-caliber opponents late in the year.
Ste. Genevieve enters the postseason as one of the district favorites after compiling another strong regular season that included wins over Perryville, Sikeston and Central (Park Hills).
Festus and Hillsboro also bring experienced rosters into postseason play, while North County and Potosi remain dangerous opponents capable of pulling an upset in tournament baseball.
For Perryville, postseason success will likely depend on defensive consistency and the ability to generate offense early in games.
The Pirates have shown throughout the season they can compete with anyone in the district when they limit mistakes and get quality innings from their pitching staff.
District tournament play is scheduled for May 16-19.
Perryville 7, Woodland 2
Perryville scored in 5 different innings and Waylon Huber struck out 9 as the Pirates defeated visiting Woodland 7-2 on May 11.
Huber earned the complete-game victory after allowing 2 runs on 5 hits over 7 innings. The right-hander walked 2 and threw 62 strikes among his 85 pitches.
Perryville collected 7 hits and was paced by Bryce Schmidt, who went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI and a double. Gideon Stueve finished 2-for-2 with 2 runs scored and a double, while Eli Deckerd doubled and drove in a run.
Parker Shelton added a hit, RBI and 2 stolen bases, and Brendyn Lutz contributed an RBI single. Barrett Wheeler drew a bases-loaded walk to force in another run.
Woodland scored both of its runs in the 6th inning after trailing 5-0. Colton Jordan led the Cardinals by going 1-for-3 with a home run, triple and 2 RBI.
Nolyn Dowd took the loss after allowing 3 runs on 4 hits over 4 innings. Jackson Carlton surrendered 4 runs in 2 innings of relief.
Perryville committed just 1 error and finished with 6 RBI in the victory.
