The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-18
SPORTS
Red Smith Has Big Day Al Expense of Crackers, and Bdrons Cop First Contest
Baron Receiver Gets Two Circuit Couts Driving in Four Runs Faultless Support Saves Ponder-Barons Bunch
 Hits in Second and Eighth Rounds
By FRED BoDEKER

Willard Jehu smith, better
 known as "Red,- the stOcky Baron
 receiver, did everything in his
 power yesterday to retain his rep
 utation as being the most danger
 ous pinch hitter in the Southern
 league. Red thoroughly convinced
 Prof. Red Day and Tom Sheehan,
 both hurIers for the Atlanta
 Crackers. that he is dangerous
 man with the willow. Conse-
 quently. due to Reds effective
 work with his mighty bIudgeon,
 the Barons scored to vic
 tory over the Crackers yesterday.
 in the opening game of the series.
 Red had a big day. The Baron catcher drove out two circuit clouts. His final homer came with the bases choked and put the game on the ice for the Molevs. Red drove in four runs and scored two himself
 Elmer Ponder, one of Moley's most de- pendable twirlers, had bad stay on the hill but fast support by his team mates saved the day on several occa- sions. Red Day started the twirling du- ties for the Crackers but after the Bar ons had scored three runs off. his deliy- cry in the second round, Tom Reilly. acting manager, sent Tom Sheehan to the hill in the third round
 STEPHAN WORKS WELL
 Sheehan held the Barons at his mercy until the eighth and in the meantime the Crackers had crept to within one tally of tying the count. After the bases had been filled Red Smith drove a vicious liner to left field which bounded over Roy Moran's head and rolled to the bleachers.
 Ponder was very wild and Moley kept Kari Black in reserve. Faultless sup port, however, accounts for low number of tallies secured by the Crackers. They secured two more hits than the Barons Moleye men Jumped into a handsome lead In the second round After Danny Clark had struck out, Kid Caton drove drive to center field which netted him two sacks. Red Smith uncorl1ed the first circuit clout of the afternoon and sea son when he drove the ball to the center field groove. This didn't end the Bar ons frolic, however, for Elmer Ponder followed with a clean drive to center He was forced at second by Eddie Me Donald Doc Johnston doubled to the IlSHl ueid ScOfeDOaTu ana EQQ1e scored by some nifty base running. It was also terrific clout
 THE FATAL EIGHTH
 That ended the Barons' scoring until the eighth The Barons didn't secure a single hit off Sheehan until the sixth In the eighth Bill Southworth led off by beating out his tap to Al Cable who threw wild to first Southy took second on the error. Ellis beat out a tap to Cable. Danny Clark went out Reilly to Munch. with no advance, except Ellis taking sec end. Kid Caton worked Sheehan for pass. Then came Red and his terrific Nallop Red had crossed the home plate before Mayer had picked the ball up In deep left field.
 The Crackers scored one run in the third. Jake Munch led off with single to center and romped around to third when Picinich doubled to center Otto Hess was sent in to bat for Day and he lifted a long fly to Ellis. Munch scored. Al Cable cracked a single to center and. Picinich was thrown out at the plate. Ellis throw was beauty.
 The Crackers second marker came in