Semoball

Early runs lift East Carter past Bernie

East Carter pitcher William Cooley throws Friday, April 1, 2022, in Ellsinore, Mo.
DAR/Robert Augsdorfer

ELLSINORE, Mo. — Jacob Saffle provided the go-ahead hit and earned the save on the mound Friday as East Carter scored early to beat visiting Bernie 4-1.

Saffle struck out seven over three scoreless innings of relief after driving in two runs in the first inning. William Cooley earned the win, striking out five over four innings.

The Redbirds (5-3) scored three runs in the first inning and added another in the second.

East Carter's Jacob Saffle (15) heads for home Friday, April 1, 2022, in Ellsinore, Mo.
DAR/Robert Augsdorfer

Bernie (4-4) was led by Landon Ellsworth’s 3-for-3 performance as he stole four bases and scored the lone run.

Saffle’s bases-loaded liner to left put East Carter up 2-0 in the first inning.

The inning started with Preston Turner drawing a walk and Jason Carter loading the bases with a one-out single.

Bernie's John Nimmo throws Friday, April 1, 2022, in Ellsinore, Mo.
DAR/Robert Augsdorfer

With two outs, Chase Carter drove in Saffle with a hit to right field.

Eli Marvin’s two-out hit in the second drove in Turner who reached on a one-out single, stole second and third during Marvin’s at-bat.

Bernie’s lone run came during a two-out rally in the third.

Ellsworth singled and Patrick Liddell was hit by a pitch before an RBI single to center by Reece Justice.

Wyatt Nimmo had the only other hit for the Mules, who stranded seven runners. Nimmo threw 2 2/3 shutout innings of relief, striking out two and allowing one hit. John Nimmo struck out four, walked two and allowed five hits in 3 1/3 innings to start.

East Carter put a pair of runners on in the third and fourth but left them stranded.

Cooley retired the first eight hitters with four strikeouts before Ellsworth got the first of his three hits.

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