In a battle for first place in the Dixie Youth 9-10 league, Scott’s Welding edged out Smith Printing 6-5 Tuesday at Ballew-Bowlin Field. With the win, Scott’s Welding (4-1) took a one-game lead over Smith Printing (3-2)

&uot;It was a good ball game,&uot; said Scott’s Welding head coach William Barnes. &uot;It was a good pitching performance.

&uot;Matt Barnes pitched real good until the fifth inning. Ross Smith had two big hits. Marley King made two big catches.&uot;

Winning pitcher Matt Barnes had a no-hitter through four innings before giving up two runs on two hits in the top of the fifth. Barnes also struck out eight and walked none.

Barnes also went 1-for-2 at the plate.

&uot;I go to practice every day,&uot; Matt Barnes said. &uot;Practice pays off. I was surprised I had eight strikeouts.&uot;

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the second when Eric Dollar scored on a double by Smith, who scored on a Josh Roberts fielder’s choice.

&uot;I didn’t hit the ball well last year,&uot; Smith said. &uot;My coach is always getting on me. I feels good to be hitting the ball good.&uot;

In the fourth inning, Smith singled to bring in Barnes and Tremaine Ford.

Barnes then gave up back-to-back RBI doubles by Jamez Logan and Dustin Carroll.

before being relieved by Luke Brumfield.

Brumfield allowed three runs, all on walks, two with the bases loaded.

&uot;Luke struggled to begin with and then he settled down,&uot; coach Barnes said.

With the bases still loaded and Scott’s Welding clinging to a one-run lead, Brumfield got Lane Havard to strike out to preserve the win.

All three outs recorded by Brumfield were strikeouts.

Smith finished 2-for-2 with a double and three RBIs.

Brian Sanderson took the loss for Smith Printing, giving up six runs on just three hits, striking out five and walking two in four innings.

Logan and Carroll each went 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI.