The Tradewater Pirates are 4-2 on the season after splitting games with the Southern Indiana Cardinals and the St. Louis Golden Spikes.
On Saturday, the Pirates rode the pitching of Joel Brown, who was spectacular, and the solid relief effort of Brian Wilburn, to a 6-2 victory over the Cardinals at Riverside Park.
First baseman Nate Noland made several fine plays for the Bucs.
Shortstop Brandon Braboy had two hits and drove in a pair of runs for Tradewater.
An early-inning error by the Cardinals opened the scoring door for the Bucs, and the outcome was never in doubt, as Tradewater built a 6-0 through eight innings.
Brown and Wilburn combined for a great victory/save combo.
Brown blanked the Southern Indiana squad through the first seven innings.
Former Caldwell County standout Brett Hawkins, who played at Brescia University this past season, started in rightfield for the Pirates on Saturday. He is one of two former Tigers expected to see action for Tradewater this season. Wes Bugg, whose Spalding University team recently returned from the NAIA World Series, is slated to pitch for Tradewater this summer.
The Pirates hit the road the first of four straight away games Monday against the St. Louis Golden Spikes.
Tradewater took one on the chin against the Spikes, dropping an 8-7 decision.
The Pirates will travel to Morgantown tonight (Wednesday) for a 7 p.m. against the Western Kentucky Rattlers.
The Pirates then visit Henderson, Tenn., for a pair of games against the Henderson Diamond Cats. The two teams will square off at 7 p.m. Friday and noon on Saturday.
The Pirates will play at home again on Sunday when they host the Southern Indiana Cardinals for a 2 p.m. game at Riverside Park.
