A big inning proved to be the difference Thursday night.
Red Bud (Ill.) broke open a close game with a four-run third inning and never looked back, defeating Perryville 8-2.
The Musketeers took control early, scoring four runs in the third to build a 4-1 lead. Red Bud added two more runs in the fifth and tacked on single runs in the sixth and seventh to pull away.
Perryville managed to stay within striking distance early. The Pirates scored a run in the third and added another in the fourth, but were unable to keep pace with Red Bud’s offense.
Barrett Wheeler led the Pirates at the plate, going 3-for- 3, while Gideon Stueve added a pair of hits. Waylon Huber drove in a run, and Brendyn Lutz also recorded an RBI as Perryville finished with seven hits.
The Pirates also showed aggressiveness on the bases, with Wheeler swiping multiple bags and Perryville totaling several stolen bases in the game.
Red Bud, however, capitalized on its opportunities.
Justin Schmoll led the Musketeers with three RBI, while Brayden Schlesinger added two runs driven in. Landon Ruebush and Ian Moll each scored twice as Red Bud totaled eight runs on eight hits.
On the mound, Tyson Bohnert earned the win for Red Bud, working six innings while allowing two runs on six hits. He struck out seven and walked one.
Perryville used a pair of pitchers in the game. Waylon Huber started and went four innings, allowing six runs (four earned) on five hits while striking out two. Bryce Schmidt worked three innings in relief, giving up two runs on three hits.
The Pirates were unable to generate a late rally as Red Bud’s pitching kept Perryville off balance down the stretch.
CENTRAL 5, PERRYVILLE 4
PARK HILLS — Perryville came up just short Tuesday night in a back-and-forth battle with Park Hills Central.
The Pirates held an early lead, but the host Rebels used a late push to slip past Perryville 5-4.
Perryville jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the third inning and carried a 4-2 lead into the sixth before Central responded with three runs over the final two innings to secure the win.
Gideon Stueve led the Pirates offensively, finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Bryce Weber also had a strong night at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a run, while Parker Shelton added a hit and scored once.
Nolan Berhle contributed an RBI for Perryville, and the Pirates were active on the bases, swiping multiple steals to apply pressure throughout the game.
On the mound, Weber turned in a solid start, working 5 2/3 innings while allowing five runs (two earned) on five hits. He struck out five and walked three. Shelton came on in relief and recorded the final out.
Central was led by Kale Dreier, who had a pair of hits and drove in two runs. Triton Crocker also collected two RBI, while Jaxen Burns scored twice.
The Rebels finished with six hits and capitalized on key opportunities late, scoring twice in the sixth and adding the go-ahead run in the seventh.
