Chicks fall to Trumann in non-conference action

The Blytheville Chickasaws dropped a non-conference contest to the Trumann Wildcats Thursday, 14-2, at the Blytheville Youth Sportsplex.

The Chicks were scheduled to begin play in the Glen Sain Tournament in Paragould but the annual tournament was cancelled after the passing of former Paragould High School and American Legion coach, Anthony Faulkner, last Sunday.

Blytheville collected eight hits but could only manage three runs while the Wildcats took advantage of five Chickasaw errors and 15 hits at the plate.

Trumann scored a pair of runs in the top of the third to break a scoreless tie, three more in the fourth, a run in the fifth and then broke the game open with eight in the sixth to end the game early.

Mack Connell collected a pair of hits and two RBIs to lead the Chickasaw bats. Jamal Washington (double and a single), Calup Hedger (single), Alex Draughn (double) and Bo Self also picked up hits for the Chicks at the plate.

Justin Liles went the distance for the Wildcats. Liles fanned nine batters, gave up three hits and walked one over six innings of work.

The Chicks (0-6) hit the road next week and head to Nettleton Tuesday for a 5A-East double-header starting at 4 p.m.

In other games around the area, the Gosnell Pirates split a pair of games in the Dyersburg, Tenn. tournament Thursday night. The Pirates lost to the host, Dyersburg Trojans, 8-7 but defeated the Kennett, Mo. Indians, 14-4. Gosnell (9-7, 5-1 3-4A) returns home Tuesday to take on Cave City in a 3-4A conference double-header staring at 4 p.m.

afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com