Derek Watkins debuted for the Sedalia Bombers on Friday, pitching four scoreless in tandem with a robust offensive showing in a 8-2 victory over the Nevada Griffons at Liberty Park Stadium in Sedalia.
Kenny Piper drove in three runs and dispatched three runners from behind the plate, including Ben Sneider at third for the last out of the game.
Watkins, a righty from Park University, Watkins said he’s focused on improving fastball command entering his senior season. Striking out and walking three each, he stranded the bases loaded in the first, and strong throws from Piper behind the plate and Tyson Cushman at third accounted for two outs in the fourth.
Switching summer leagues to face more competitive batters, Watkins was quickly impressed by the Sedalia Bombers lineup.
“I honestly didn’t expect the guys to hit so well,” Watkins said. “It was just a win-win on both sides of the ball.”
Jordan Lawrence pitched three scoreless in relief, Jacob Harris surrendered two runs in the eighth, and Josiah Imhoff closed in the ninth.
Nevada scored first on a Marco Young double that eluded a sliding effort from Jordan Wright in the left field, warning-track gravel. Michael Pagano singled home Young.
In the first, Piper doubled off the base of the outfield fence to score Trey Harris and Dev Wilson. Harris, who finished with three hits and a walk, started a four-run rally in the third with a looper over second base that scored Cole Gray and Wilson.
With the win, Sedalia made ground on MINK League North-leading St. Joseph, which played a non-league opponent Friday. The Bombers play the Mustangs in three of the next six scheduled games.
Splitting that stretch is the MINK League All-Star Game, hosted at Chillicothe on Thursday, June 6. The Bombers landed six players on the North team in Cushman, Piper, Wilson, Dalton Horstmeier, Louis Niemerg and Daylon Owens.
The Bombers were met with an All-Star caliber crowd Friday.
More than 100 fans filled rows of shady, first base-side benches in Liberty Park Stadium for the biggest turnout since opening night. Picnic in the Park, an event organized by Center for Human Services in Sedalia, made its annual stop to Dey Field for a Bombers game Friday.
About 30 volunteers and adults with disabilities were fans at the ballpark Friday.
“This is such a big event for them,” said Chanisty Lambert, social leisure coordinator at CHS. “We have individuals from Pettis to Benton County, and they are very big Bombers fans … We are always looking for places to go and be a part of the community.”
Sedalia (13-10) host the Jefferson City Renegades 7 p.m. Monday, June 3 for Military Appreciation Night. After defeating the Bombers twice to begin the season, the Renegades (9-15) have lost seven of its last 10 games.
