Trinity sweeps doubleheader in just six innings

Published 12:09 am Thursday, March 18, 2010

NATCHEZ — Young and inexperienced, the Briarfield baseball team could only ask for mercy.

And the MAIS rulebook obliged, as both games of a doubleheader against Trinity Episcopal Wednesday were called after the third inning due to the 15-run mercy rule.

Trinity shut out Briarfield in both games, winning the first one 16-0 and the second 15-0. The games, which were originally scheduled to take place at Briarfield, were moved to Chester-Willis Field after Briarfield lost access to its home field.

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“The main thing today was just getting out here and playing,” Trinity head coach Mitch Ashmore said. “I understand what Briarfield’s going through — they’re good in a lot of sports, and they’re trying to build a baseball program.”

Andrew Moroney got the start for Trinity in game two, nailing down the win by pitching two scoreless innings. Freshman Jesse Caleb relieved him in the third inning.

“Moroney throws a lot of strikes,” Ashmore said. “He’s a smart player. We hadn’t pitched him any (before today), except a couple of times in practice. We figured he could come out and throw strikes, and he gave us what we needed. Jesse came in, and he also threw well.”

Givonni Dent doubled twice for the Saints in game two. Moroney and Chase Patrick each had a double for Trinity.

Dent went 3-for-3 at the plate, and Trevor Faust and Patrick each finished 2-for-2.

“I think some of our guys adjusted with the bat better in the second game better than the first game, having to stay back on the baseball and being selective,” Ashmore said.

“Whether the pitcher’s throwing 95 (mph) or 45, you have to be able to make adjustments at the plate.”

In game one, Jordan Dossett got the win, pitching for the first time since getting a cortisone shot for his shoulder late last week.

“I’m happy with Dossett’s performance,” Ashmore said. “It was a major plus. He only threw 31 pitches, and he threw a lot of strikes, so we were happy with that.”

Dossett said he felt no pain in his arm as he threw.

“I wasn’t really worried about my velocity today, just with hitting my spots and throwing strikes,” Dossett said. “My arm didn’t hurt at all. I just threw strikes and did what I had to do.”

Having his team give him an eight-run cushion in the top of the second inning helped, he said.

“That gives me a lot of confidence throwing, knowing I could throw whatever pitch I wanted to,” he said. “It’s a big relief, because it doesn’t put any pressure on you.”

The shoulder injury was a dent from where it was dislocated after pitching a lot of innings last season, Dossett said.

“I pitched more than any other pitcher last season. It started to hurt last year, and then really started to hurt this year, so I went to the doctor to take care of it,” Dossett said.

Faust tripled in game two. Daniel Dunaway, Dossett and Jake Winston each doubled. Dunaway and Dossett were 3-for-3 and Kent King went 2-for-2.

Trinity (4-3, 2-0) will play in the Golden Equipment Invitational at Vidalia today through Saturday.