Chuckey-Doak (2-3) traveled to South Greene (0-3) on Tuesday afternoon and, for the second consecutive day, came away with a conference victory, defeating the Rebels 9-3.
The Black Knights collected 10 hits on the afternoon, led by Kiptyn Ball’s three singles. Cooper Seay and Ben Palazzo each added a double and a single. South Greene managed three hits — singles by Christian Darnell, Maddux Brown, and T Ricker.
Through the first four innings, the contest resembled a pitcher’s duel. Rebel starter Charlie Lane kept the Knights’ bats in check early, allowing just two earned runs on four hits over four innings while striking out one and walking four.
Chuckey-Doak starter Collin Bishop was equally sharp through his 3 1/3 innings of work, allowing three earned runs on two hits while striking out six and walking four.
The Knights struck first in the top of the opening inning when Ben Palazzo lifted a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Kiptyn Ball, who had singled to collect the game’s first hit.
Chuckey-Doak extended its lead to 2-0 in the third. Palazzo singled to left, moved to second on a wild pitch, and came home when Seay delivered a single to left.
South Greene responded in the bottom of the fourth to take a brief 3-2 lead. Eli Fillers drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on Brown’s single to right. Zach Mason followed with a walk that loaded the bases and chased Bishop from the mound.
Ball entered in relief and induced Ricker to hit a ground ball to shortstop that scored Fillers. The play sent the Black Knight defense into a brief tailspin, allowing the other two runners to cross the plate and give the Rebels the lead.
Ball exited after issuing a walk that placed runners on first and second without recording an out. Lynkin Cutshaw came on in relief, striking out Davis looking before loading the bases with a walk. He then escaped the inning with a groundout.
Chuckey-Doak quickly answered in the top of the fifth. Three walks, a Seay double to center, and aggressive baserunning helped the Knights reclaim the lead at 5-3.
The Knights added an insurance run in the sixth and put the game away with three more in the seventh.
Cutshaw earned the win in relief, allowing just one hit while striking out six and walking four. Lane was tagged with the loss for South Greene.
Chuckey-Doak will travel to Gatlinburg on Thursday, while South Greene hosts Claiborne on Friday.
