Bernie downs Bell City for district title

Jerry Jarrell photo Bell City catcher Melvin Johnson has the ball but Bernie's Jesse Johnson slides home to beat the tag and score the title-clinching run in the Mules' 10-0 victory in the Class 1, District 2 championship game Wednesday at Oran.

ORAN -- Singles, doubles and gap shots. Bernie peppered the baseball, scoring early and often in its five-inning rout of Bell City to win the Class 1District 2 championship Wednesday.

Bernie hurler Michael Smith also had a solid outing on the mound in the 10-0 victory in the title game.

Smith threw all five innings, scattering five hits and striking out two batters. He improved to 6-1 on the season.

"I can't throw the hardest," Smith said. "I was just trying to spot my curveball and locate my changeup and keep the ball around the plate."

The right-hander also gave his teammates a big assist in the shutout.

"My defense played great behind me," Smith said.

Center fielder Micah Woods layed out to make a diving catch to rob Bell City catcher Melvin Johnson of a hit to end the top of the first inning.

In the fourth inning, Smith took a line drive by Bell City's Terrence Liggins off his shin and it ricocheted toward first base. He raced off the mound, grabbed the ball and made a diving toss for the inning-ending out.

The Cubs (6-12) threatened in the top of the fifth by getting their first two runners on base, but Smith was bailed out by third baseman Quinton Stevens, who made a diving stab and turned a 5-3 double-play.

Bernie took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI single by Blake Keasler. Bernie catcher Jake Owens then broke the game open with a two-out, bases-loaded double that scored three runs and gave the Mules a 4-0 advantage. Owens' double just eluded the reach of the left fielder.

Owens went 3-for-3 in the game with four RBIs.

"I'm thankful that our offense got out there and got those early runs," Smith said. "It let me relax and throw strikes."

Cubs starter Cody Kight struggled throughout his three innings. He allowed six earned runs as Bernie loaded the bases against him in the second and fourth innings. Kight departed in the fourth without retiring a batter.

"Baseball is a game of inches," Bell City coach Matt Asher said. "They had the bases loaded in the second, and we didn't want to pitch to Owens, but if we catch that ball the game is still 1-0.

"That was just the story of our season though. When we were off, we were just really off."

Johnson, the winning pitcher in Monday's 2-0 semifinal win against Oran, showed off his defensive skills behind the plate. He threw out two runners at second base and blocked shortstop Jesse Shelton from scoring in a collision at the plate during Bernie's four-run fourth inning.

Bernie will travel to Cooter on Monday in a sectional contest.

Bell City 000 00 < 0 5 2

Bernie 040 42 < 10 11 0

WP < Michael Smith, 6-1. LP < Cody Kight. 2B < Jake Owens (B). Multiple hits

< Bell City: Eddie Dombawski 2-2. Bernie: Owens 3-3, Micah Woods 2-3,

Cameron Shipman 2-3. Records < Bernie 18-5, Bell City 6-12.