For two innings, Pineville kept within reaching distance of Barbourville. The Lions hit a wall after that as Barbourville rattled off 10 runs in the third en route to a 13-0 rout in five innings on Tuesday.

“The first two innings, we did everything you can do in the field correctly. We caught fly balls, we grounded ground balls, (and) we threw it to first. Everything in the first two innings was perfect,” said Pineville coach Chris Murphy. “They got two back-to-back hits (and) they got the run. Third inning, it’s 3-0 (with) two outs. We drop a ball on the third base line, miss a grounder, miss a throw (and) before you know it it’s 11-0.

“It’s the same stuff. I don’t know what I got to do to get these guys to realize if they make the easy plays it’s an easy game. It’s just going to take some time.”

Barbourville blasted their way to 16 hits throughout the game. Mitchell Buchanan and Caleb Powers paced the team at the plate getting three hits apiece. Buchanan ended the night with two RBIs and a team-leading three runs.

Trey Owens also had an impressive showing for the Tigers finishing with three RBIs and two runs on two doubles.

Connor Bain picked up the win on the mound allowing two hits in the shutout.

For Pineville, Reese Capps led the team at the plate finishing with two singles. Josh Holland and Jonathan Simpson also tallied hits on the night. Cody Goodin and Cole Gent reached on walks, while Deon Coffman reached once after being hit by a pitch.

Coffman was credited with the loss on the mound after pitching the complete game for the Lions. He allowed all 16 hits and 13 runs while striking out three batters and walking four.

After a third inning rally by Barbourville, the Lions entered the bottom half of the inning trailing 11-0. With two outs on the board, Coffman reached first after being hit by a pitch. Goodin would follow after being walked, but a fly out by Reed Baker ended the inning with runners on first and second.

Barbourville increased their lead to 13 runs in the fourth. After reaching on a single, Ethan Phipps scored on the Owens RBI to increase the lead to 12-0. Owens later crossed home plate on an error to increase the lead to 13.

Pineville had a chance to cut into the lead in the bottom half of the fifth. With Jordan Collins coming in for relief of Bain, Simpson got on base with a single. Capps followed with a single of his on at the next at-bat.

Three straight strikeouts ended the game with runners stranded.

Up Next

Pineville (1-10) will host Bell County (8-2) at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Barbourville (5-7) will travel to Williamsburg (10-2) on Friday.

Reach Anthony Cloud at 606-302-9090 or on Twitter @AnthonyCloudMDN