Written by Mike Rosenbaum

BOONVILLE - The remaining two undefeated teams in the North Central Missouri Conference squared off on Wednesday, as the Boonville Pirates hosted the Kirksville Tigers in a potential conference championship preview.  After winning their first five games to open the season, Kirksville finally suffered their first loss of the season, as they were run-ruled by the Pirates 14-4 in five innings.

Boonville's (5-1) offense was relentless, amassing 15 hits and 11 two out RBI.  In each of the first three innings, the Pirates sent at least nine men to the plate as they jumped out to a commanding lead.

In the home half of the first, Boonville pushed across five runs thanks to their patience at the plate and some timely hitting.  SS Jalen Poindexter drove in the game's first run with a bases loaded single, and CF Kellin Kempf followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead.  After a walk reloaded the bases, 2B Zach Nixon promptly cleared them with a three-run double to left to make it a 5-0 game.

After the Tigers scored their first run on a double steal in the top of the second, Boonville came right back with another four runs. C Wes Davis started the scoring with a solo home run to left-center, and both Poindexter and Kempf had an RBI double.

It appeared that Kirksville might hold the Pirates scoreless in the bottom of the third, after the first two hitters were retired with ease.  However, Boonville strung together seven consecutive hits with two outs and increased their lead to 14-1.  Poindexter, Kempf, and LF Kyle Vanderlinden all had run-scoring doubles in the frame.

Although Kirksville was able to push across three runs over the course of the fourth and fifth innings, they were unable to avoid being run-ruled by the torrid Pirates' offense.

RHP Bo Western picked up an RBI on a bases loaded walk while C Keaton Farnsworth had an RBI double.

Boonville starter RHP Keith Poindexter picked up the win on Wednesday after giving up one earned run in 3.2 innings.  Using a fastball that sat 81-83 mph and touched 84 mph, as well as a knee-buckling 65-67 mph curveball, the right-hander surrendered three hits while both fanning and walking five.

Besides the fact that every starter had at least one hit, several Boonville hitters had big days at the plate.  1B Jason Luster finished the game 3-for-3 with three runs scored, and J. Poindexter was 3-for-4 with 2 doubles, three runs scored, and 3 RBI.  Kempf turned in a 2-for-2 performance that included 2 doubles, two runs scored, a stolen base, and 4 RBI, while Nixon was also 2-for-2 with a double, two runs scored, and 4 RBI.

For Kirksville, LF Zak Turner was 2-for-2 with a double, and Farnsworth was 1-for-2 with an RBI double.