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 Derrick Webb, Reporter10:41 p.m. EDT April 4, 2016

CHILLICOTHE - The beginning was rusty, the middle was lackluster but the end, well the end was sweet.

But there was one constant bright spot in all of that: Collin Cory.

On the opening night of Scioto Valley Conference play, Cory and his Adena Warriors bested Southeastern by a final of 3-1 in eight innings.

And even with the temperature in the uppers 30s, Cory continue to deliver fireball after fireball from the pitcher's mound.

"Collin's nickname is 'bulldog' and tonight he showed why they call him that," Adena coach Tom Barr said. "He really just kept going at them. We had Jonathan (Thomas) warmed up and ready to go and Collin didn't want to give the ball up. I felt like he got stronger as the game went on tonight."

The senior threw all eight innings, fanning eight batters, allowing four base knocks, and giving up just one earned run. His performance not only gave the Warriors (2-1, 1-0 SVC) a conference-opening victory but it also allowed them to bounce back from a tough outing this past weekend.

"We talked about being able to stick to your guns after the game tonight," Barr said. "This team is used to winning but they don't get excited about many things prematurely. They don't try to make things happen too hard. After a tough loss Saturday, it was nice to come out and bounce back like this while beating a very good Southeastern team. Both of the pitchers (Southeastern) threw at us threw well today. It's huge for us to get back into the win column."

The Panthers (3-3, 0-1 SVC) scored the contest's first run in their very first at-bat.

After Cory retired the first batter he faced, Southeastern's Rex Hartman drew a four-pitch walk and proceeded to steal second base. After Carson Stauffer moved Hartman to third on a groundout to the pitcher, shortstop Owen Diehl drove a 3-2 delivery into the outfield grass to score Hartman and make it 1-0.

But misfortunately for Southeastern, Cory had seen enough of that.

In the second, third, and fourth innings, the Panthers went down in order. Meanwhile, Adena got a leadoff single from Jake Dawson in the top of the third before he swiped second. After advancing to third on a passed ball, Dawson scored on an RBI groundout from Cory, tying the game 1-1.

And that's the way it stayed for what seemed like an eternity; especially with bitter wind chills.

The Panthers had a shot to retake the lead in the bottom of the fifth with catcher Hunter Hopkins standing on second and one out. The Warriors had their shot to grab an edge with right fielder Hayden Henness standing on third and one gone in the top of the inning.

But neither took advantage of the opportunities. Instead, Cory took matters into his own hands in the top of the eighth.

After he singled into right field, Cory advanced to past second and onto third thanks to a Panthers' fielding error. Second baseman Gunnar Free then drew a free pass before Jonathan Thomas hit a line drive into center, deep enough for Cory to tag from third and give the Warriors a 2-1 lead.

Braden Wilburn then followed suit by knocking in Free — who had stolen second base — with an RBI single to make it 3-1.

In the bottom of the eighth, Cory struck out two batters and saw his catcher, Bo Dratwa, pick a runner off at first to seal the deal.

"Braden has been big for us all year and he's one of our leaders," Barr said. "He doesn't strike out much and he moves the ball. We bury him in that four-hole every game and he sees a lot of offspeed stuff. But he battles."

Southeastern's Tanner Popp (1-2) took the loss on the mound, hurling three innings of relief and allowing two earned runs on three hits.

At the dish, Wilburn led the Warriors by going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Cory finished 1-for-4 with a run and an RBI while JD Blevins also went 2-for-3.

For the Panthers, Hunter Hopkins led the way offensively with a 2-for-3 outing. Popp finished 1-for-3 and Diehl was 1-for-3 with an RBI.

Adena will return to action Wednesday evening as they host Adena. Southeastern will get back to work Tuesday, traveling to Vinton County.

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Twitter: @dw1509

 Derrick Webb, Reporter8:24 p.m. EDT March 24, 2016

CHILLICOTHE CAVALIERS

2015 Record: 9-12 (3-11 SCOL)

Head Coach: Todd Seymour, 2nd season

Key Returners: Leo Woods, Jeff Webb, Jack Busch, Gage Jones, Dylan Conley, Jordan Valentine, Noah Jackson

Player Spotlight: At the top of the order, senior Jack Busch will set the pace for the Cavaliers' offense. Busch was vital to Chillicothe's success last year as he hit .339 with four doubles and 10 RBI. Busch also scored 18 runs, second to only Caleb Price and Matt Valentine.

Outlook: The Cavaliers lost their top hitter in center fielder Caleb Price and top pitcher in lefty Nick Rinehart. So, as expected, question marks surround this team. A conference title may be a lofty goal but if Chillicothe can hit its stride at the right time, a postseason run could be in the works.

ADENA WARRIORS

2015 Record: 19-4 (14-0 SVC)

Head Coach: Tom Barr, 1st season

Key Returners: Jonathan Thomas, Collin Cory, Hayden Henness, Gunnar Free, Bo Dratwa, JD Blevins

Player Spotlight: With JD Blevins at the top of the Warriors' pitching rotation, Collin Cory will spend a lot of time at second base this year. However, when he's on the hill, Cory is poised to be dominant. During his junior year, Cory was 2-0 with a 2.72 ERA in 18 innings. If it wasn't for Blevins, Cory would be the team's ace.

Outlook: It's really simple: the Warriors just have to continue to do what they've done. One question surrounds this team however in whether or not they have that 'killer' instinct. They won 19 of 23 games last year but lost to an SVC opponent in the first round of the postseason. They have the talent to get over the hump but will they?

HUNTINGTON HUNTSMEN

2015 Record: 9-16 (3-11 SVC)

Head Coach: Brian Smith, 3rd season

Key Returners: Brian Smith, Hunter Henneberger, Billy Doyle, Devon Byrd, Merfel Conley, Jacob Pugh

Player Spotlight: Senior Billy Doyle will be counted on to capitalize with runners on base this season for the Huntsmen. Doyle hit .370 one year ago and drove in 10 runs while scoring 12. This season, he should be moved up in the lineup. But with that move comes responsibility. Look for him to embrace his new role.

Outlook: Pitching. Pitching. Pitching. The Huntsmen had virtually none last year. But with another year comes more experience so who knows what will take place in 2016. Brian Smith will be the leader of this club, followed by Doyle. Those two have to take charge and make their teammates better one by one.

PIKETON REDSTREAKS

2015 Record: 6-17 (4-10 SVC)

Head Coach: Gene Bumgardner, 8th season

Key Returners: Riley Harris, Jacob Chester, Colton Blakeman, Ethan Crabtree, Zane Barker, Tyler Brown

Player Spotlight: Anchoring Piketon's pitching rotation will be senior Jacob Chester. As a junior, Chester hurled 37 innings and allowed 20 earned runs for a 3.78 ERA. While striking out 24 and walking just nine, Chester went just 1-3 as he suffered from a lack of run support. Piketon will look to change that in 2016.

Outlook: Both Ethan Fremder and Zack Jordan have graduated while Talon Osborne transferred to Waverly. The Redstreaks are now left with young talent and will rely on veterans Riley Harris and Colton Blakeman to rally the troops. Piketon played in a plethora of close contests last year. Gene Bumgardner's club has to be optimistic heading into this weekend.

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Twitter: @dw1509