Boyd-Buchanan Buccaneers, Skyler Anderson blank Whitwell

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog
photo Skyler Anderson

If Skyler Anderson pitches a strikeout, OK. If he gets the out another way, that's just as good.

"He's been consistent for us all year," Boyd-Buchanan coach Josh Rider said after Anderson pitched the Buccaneers to a six-inning 10-0 win over Whitwell in a Region 3-A baseball semifinal Monday.

"He went out there and does what he does, and he held them down till our bats got going in the fourth inning."

The Bucs had a 2-0 lead going into the fourth and loaded the bases on two walks and a single. The stage was set for Jim Cardwell, who carved his Boyd-Buchanan reputation as a four-year starting quarterback. He banged a bases-clearing double off the fence in left-center.

Asked which he preferred, a touchdown pass or a three-run double, Cardwell grinned and replied, "Either one's fine."

The Bucs' leadoff hitter was 2-for-4 with four RBIs, scoring three runs and stealing a pair of bases.

"The score went from 2-0 to 5-0 just like that," Rider said. "It seemed to take the wind out of their sails."

Three of the Bucs had multihit days with freshman Cade Evans, the No. 2 hitter, going 2-for-2 with two runs and an RBI. His first plate appearance was a sacrifice that pushed Cardwell along and was instrumental in the Bucs' first run. Nathan Murrell also had two hits, his double in the first scoring Cardwell from second.

Josh Antwine reached in all three of his plate appearances on a run-scoring single and two walks, and he scored two runs.

"He's a very good defensive third baseman and he gets on base. He's just a pest down there in the nine-spot," Rider said.

Rider said Whitwell starting pitcher Chase White "went out there and battled but he didn't seem to have his best stuff, and we were able to take advantage of some free baserunners."

Anderson struck out five batters. Three of the junior's strikeouts came with men on base, including one at third in the first inning and runners on first and second in the third.

Boyd-Buchanan supported him with nine hits.

"We're hitting the ball real well. I like where we are going into our region championship game," Rider said.

Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him at Twitter.com/wardgossett.

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