Bernie youngster seizes opportunity when it presents itself

Then-Bernie High School sophomore Brayden Vaughn leads off of third base last spring in a game against Advance at Bernie.

Tom Davis ~ Tdavis@semoball.com

Veteran Bernie High School baseball coach Marcus Massey certainly wasn’t thrilled when his top two pitchers, senior Taylor Stanfield, and junior Leightin Hicks, both suffered injuries recently. However, if there has been a blessing in disguise this fall, it is that younger players have gotten some experience, and in the case of junior Brayden Vaughn, he has seized that opportunity.

“Brayden has been throwing really good,” Massey said recently. “He's been a nice addition, definitely.”

Vaughn was tremendous in a 2-0 win over South Pemiscot on Tuesday, which always gives the Mules fits.

The Bulldogs battled the Mules to a 7-6 loss last spring.

Vaughn threw 6 1/3 innings and allowed just one hit, no runs, walked two, and struck out eight Bulldog hitters.

“He’s gone from a guy who didn’t throw much last spring,” Massey explained of Vaughn, “to, he’s kind of been our go-to (pitcher) this fall.

“That has been great for us.”

Vaughn threw in some junior varsity games last spring, but not at the varsity level.

With the graduation of Jayden Robinette, and then the recent injuries (neither of which are arm-related), Vaughn has stepped up to the bigger stage flawlessly.

“Brayden had thrown some bullpen (sessions) for us,” Massey explained, “and in several JV games last year, so I always knew that he had potential as a pitcher.

“The main thing that he is doing now is just throwing strikes.”

Mules battling opponents, injuries through challenging fall season

Tom Davis

One of the reasons for playing 20-some baseball games each fall for some of the smaller high schools throughout Missouri is to learn more about each team, and specifically, about each player's ability and potential for the upcoming spring.
Veteran Bernie High School baseball coach Marcus Massey has achieved both through this fall, which has had...

Against South Pemiscot (1-8), Vaughn threw 47 strikes in his 73 pitches and didn’t allow an extra-base hit.

“He never really hurts himself with walks or hit batters. He goes at the hitter and gets a lot of quick outs and that leads to short innings.

“Before you know it, it has turned into a really good year.”

Vaughn didn’t allow a run in a recent relief outing against Leopold and only one earned run in nearly four innings of relief work against Puxico recently.

Bulldog junior Parker Carlisle was just as impressive on Tuesday.

Carlisle worked 6 2/3 innings and allowed no earned runs, one walk, four hits, and struck out four.

Bernie (10-5) took a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning when Cody Massey led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch.

A South Pemiscot error resulted in Cody Massey reaching third and Hunter Massey advancing to second base.

Cody Massey scored on a sacrifice by senior Blake Nash.

In the seventh inning, Bernie senior Jonah Copeland led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a fielder’s choice by Josiah Copeland.

Another South Pemiscot error led to Copeland scoring for the final margin.

The Mules got one hit from sophomore Cane Hobgood while Cody Massey (one run), Nash (one hit, one RBI), Jonah Copeland (one hit, one run), and Josiah Copeland (one hit) were also productive.

Hobgood and Cody Massey each stole bases in the win.

Bulldog junior Ethan Busby had the lone hit for his team while Jarvis Amerson (one walk) and senior Brandon Lanier (two walks) also got on base.

Bernie will wrap up its season with the upcoming Fall Tournament at Campbell High School.

The Mules will open the event against the host Camels (3-7) on Saturday at 2 p.m.

South Pemiscot will open the same tournament against Risco (14-4) on Saturday at 10 a.m.