High school baseball: South Callaway splits opening games in Lebanon Tournament

CAMDENTON - The state-ranked Bulldogs lost to Class 5 Nixa 3-1 and then bounced back for a 6-3 victory over Class 4 Pembroke Hill in the Gold Pool of the Lebanon Wood Bat Tournament on Friday.

South Callaway (12-5) completed pool play Saturday against Camdenton and then played a cross-pool game late in the afternoon. Results from both games were not available at press time.

The Bulldogs and Fair Grove share the No. 6 ranking in Class 3 by the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association.

South Callaway was limited to four hits in Friday's loss to Nixa. The Bulldogs produced their lone run in the top of the sixth when senior second baseman Drake Davidson scored from third after junior center fielder Tyler Lepper grounded into a double play.

Senior shortstop Peyton Leeper singled to lead off the game, senior left fielder Tyklen Salmons and junior first baseman Jared Mistler both singled in the sixth, and senior third baseman Dustin Loucks singled in the seventh for the Bulldogs.

Senior starter Austin Loucks took the complete-game loss for South Callaway, allowing three runs - only one earned - on six hits. Loucks (1-1) issued seven walks and struck out three.

Leading 1-0 over Pembroke Hill, the Bulldogs' three-run outburst in the top of the third proved to be the difference in the game. Austin Loucks - serving as designated hitter - opened the inning with a single and went to second when junior second baseman Devin Borghardt followed with a single.

Loucks and Borghardt then advanced on a balk by Pembroke Hill's pitcher. Leeper delivered a single to right to bring home Loucks from third and Borghardt also scored from second on the throw to make it 3-0.

Leeper reached second on the play, moved to third on Davidson's groundout to the pitcher and raced home on Salmons' groundout to short.

Pembroke Hill countered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth to pull within 4-2. South Callaway, though, got a run back in the fifth when Leeper doubled and eventually scored from third on a two-out error.

The Bulldogs extended their lead to 6-2 in the seventh when Davidson's one-out single scored Borghardt. Pembroke Hill added its final run in the bottom of the inning.

Leeper went 2-for-3 with two RBI and three runs scored as South Callaway collected seven hits. Davidson finished 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Borghardt was 1-for-3 with two stolen bases and scored twice.

Leeper started on the mound for the Bulldogs and went 4 2/3 innings to remain unbeaten at 4-0. He gave up two runs - one earned - on three hits and struck out three.