This year, the Bradwell Institute baseball team has scheduled its region 3-AAAAA games a bit differently than in previous years. The Tigers are playing each region opponent three times in one week, starting last week when they went 0-3 against South Effingham.
This week, they played Statesboro High School, and the Blue Devils also swept the series, placing Bradwell at 0-6 in the region.
On Monday, the Tigers fell at Statesboro, 6-4. They lost 5-0 at home Wednesday and, on Friday, the Tigers went back to Statesboro, where they fell 10-1.
In Monday’s contest, Bradwell took a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning off a single by DJ Jefferson, scoring Ryan Desbians and Chris Bell.
The Blue Devils responded with four runs to take a lead they never relinquished.
Evan Crystal started on the mound for the Tigers, tossing two strikeouts while giving up seven hits and six walks. Darrius Tilghman pitched the final inning, allowing one hit.
During Wednesday’s home game, Stephon Felton took the loss on the mound as the Blue Devils capitalized on fielding errors to score five runs. Felton walked four and struck out 10 batters.
Statesboro’s Jordan Finch threw a shutout, tossing 11 strikeouts.
The Tigers’ lone hit came from Bell, who went 1 for 3.
Bell pitched in Friday’s game tossing five strikeouts and walking two batters in four and two-third innings. Tilghman came on in relief for the remainder of the game, tossing one strikeout and walking one.
Maxwell Ashe led in hits, going 2 for 3.
The region losses have come against two strong opponents. South Effingham made a run to the first round of the state playoffs last year. Statesboro made it to round three of state before being eliminated.
The Tigers were scheduled to play at Charlton County Saturday. Bradwell is 3-7 overall and 0-6 in region play.