Booneville Dominates Rival Baldwyn in 2026 Season Opener
Booneville exploded for six runs in the first inning, added six more in the third, and capped the night with two in the fifth to secure the run-rule victory and begin the year 1-0.
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
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6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 9 | 3 |
Booneville, MS – February 10, 2026 – Booneville opened the 2026 season with a 14-4 win over rival Baldwyn in five innings Tuesday night at Harold T. White Field. In front of 156 fans, the Blue Devils used a pair of big innings to take control early and secure the run-rule victory.
Baldwyn struck first in the top of the opening inning, taking advantage of a Booneville error to build a 2-0 lead despite managing just one hit. The Blue Devils answered immediately in the bottom half. Porter Tapp drew a leadoff walk, and Cade Lott followed with a single to center. Jacob Matthews worked a walk to load the bases, setting up the first of several key at-bats in the inning.
Bennett Geno delivered an RBI single to put Booneville on the board, and Ayden Barnes added a sacrifice fly to tie the game. Tapp later came back around and ripped a two-run double, and the lineup continued to grind out plate appearances as Booneville sent 12 hitters to the plate. By the time the inning ended, the Blue Devils had scored six runs and turned an early deficit into a 6-2 advantage.
Booneville extended the lead in the third inning with another six-run frame. The Devils combined timely hits with disciplined at-bats, drawing walks and capitalizing on hit-by-pitches to keep pressure on Baldwyn's pitching staff. Through five innings, Booneville totaled 14 runs on nine hits, drew nine walks, and was hit by four pitches. The lineup also swiped four bases and consistently forced deep counts, as Baldwyn pitchers threw 144 pitches in the game.
Tapp led the offense from the top of the order, finishing 3-for-3 with a double, four RBIs, two runs scored, and two walks. He reached base five times and was involved in multiple scoring rallies. Lott went 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs, two runs scored, and a walk. Easton Field added two hits and scored once, while Barnes drove in two runs. Geno contributed an RBI and scored twice, and Kylin Leslie scored two runs, drove in one, stole two bases, drew a walk, and was hit twice.
On the mound, Knox Houston earned the win in the season opener. He worked four innings, allowing one hit and four runs, only two of which were earned. Houston struck out five and walked two, settling in after the first inning and limiting Baldwyn's chances to build momentum. John Greyson Pharr pitched the fifth inning, allowing one hit and no runs to close out the game. Booneville pitchers combined to allow just two hits overall.
Defensively, Booneville committed three errors, but the damage was limited as Baldwyn stranded seven runners. The Blue Devils' ability to respond quickly after the early mistake set the tone for the remainder of the night.
With the win, Booneville begins the 2026 season at 1-0, combining patient at-bats, timely extra-base hits, and steady pitching in a balanced opening performance against a nearby rival.