Bulldogs beat Bourbon 4-0 in regular-season finale

BOURBON, Mo. - The state-ranked South Callaway Bulldogs defeated the Bourbon Warhawks 4-0 in their final regular-season baseball game Wednesday.

South Callaway (21-5) - ranked No. 6 in Class 3 - scored the first run in the top of the first inning. Freshman catcher Peyton Leeper hit a one-out double to center. Junior first baseman Graysan Peneston was hit by a pitch and Leeper advanced to third on a passed ball.

Sophomore shortstop Dylan Lepper scored Leeper on an infield single.

The Bulldogs produced two runs in the third inning to take a 3-0 lead. Lepper reached first on a fielder's choice and scored on a two-out double to left by senior center fielder Ryan Edler in the next at-bat. Freshman third baseman Tyklen Salmons singled to left to move Edler to third.

Edler scored on a Warhawks' failed pick off attempt at first.

South Callaway scored its final fun in the sixth. Sophomore starter Kaden Helsel led off the inning with a single to center. Helsel went to second when Lepper was safe on a two-out double. Edler scored Helsel on an infield single in the next at-bat.

Edler went 2-for-3 with a double, two runs batted in and a run scored as the Bulldogs collected 11 hits. Salmons was 2-for-4 and freshman second baseman Drake Davidson went 2-for-3.

Helsel (7-1) went the distance to pick up the win. Helsel allowed just one hit, struck out 14 and walked two.

South Callaway is the host and top seed for the Class 3, District 8 Tournament. The Bulldogs earned a first-round bye and will play either No. 4 seed Montgomery County or No. 5 North Callaway in the semifinals at 5 p.m. Tuesday in Mokane.