MCMINNVILLE, Tenn. – The Shelbyville Central Golden Eagles (2-0) used more dominant pitching on Thursday to pick up their second-consecutive win to open 2026 against Stone Memorial (1-2), 5-2 at Warren County.

Community transfer Kaleb Maillet picked up the win for the Golden Eagles after hurling 6.0 innings of solid baseball from the mound, giving up just two unearned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out five batters on 88 pitches. Braxton Vari came on in relief to register the final three outs and record the save on 14 pitches.

For the Panthers, Parker Bisbee got the start, lasting just 1.2 innings after giving up three earned runs on three hits – one being a home run – and four walks with just three strikeouts on 56 pitches. Braxton Howard came on in relief, pitching the final 4.1 innings and giving up just two earned runs on three hits and three walks with three strikeouts on 63 pitches.

Stone Memorial actually took the lead in the top of the first inning after Kyle Hinch worked a two-out walk before Cade Wilson slapped a single to keep the frame alive. Then, Memphis Barnes singled both runners home to complete the two-out rally and give the Panthers a 2-0 lead. 

The Golden Eagles responded in the bottom half, tying the game up at 2-2 after Miles McCullough cranked a leadoff home run followed by Stephen Bobo singling and coming around to score on an RBI-double from Elijah Westbrooks.

In the bottom of the third, Shelbyville Central knocked Bisbee from the game with two outs by tacking on another run from Ashton Worley, and then added insurance in the bottom of the fourth inning with two more runs scored by McCullough and Bobo.

McCullough finished 3-of-4 at the plate in the leadoff spot with one RBI, a home run and two runs scored, Bobo went 1-of-3 with a walk and a single and two runs scored, and Westbrooks finished 1-of-2 with an RBI, a walk, and he was hit by a pitch. Caden Peacock went 0-of-2 with an RBI on a sacrifice fly, Blake Bone batted 1-of-2 with a walk, and Whorley finished 0-for-1 with two walks and a run scored. 

Shelbyville Central drew seven walks as a team to go with six base-hits while Maillet held the Panthers to three hits and three walks total.

The Golden Eagles improve to 2-0 overall, and are scheduled to take on Sequatchie County in the New Balance Invitational at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.