Baseball is a game of numbers and numbers can be deceiving. Bradwell lost 12-2 to region power Jenkins, but the box score doesn’t tell the whole story.
The Tigers out pitched and out hit Jenkins for five and two-thirds inning. Jenkins finally took control in the sixth inning.
Bradwell pitcher Eric Wells fanned the first Jenkins hitter he faced. Wells got some back up from his fielders, setting the Warriors down in order.
Zach Hawkins led off the bottom of the first with a single. Eran Hodge and Ulrich John also had singles, but the Tigers were not able to get on the scoreboard.
Jenkins took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, scoring off of a sacrifice fly to center. Tiger’s shortstop Mitch Rogers made an outstanding defensive play to end to the Warriors inning.
The Tigers continued their offensive effort. Wells helped his own cause, reaching base on a Texas leaguer to right field.
Bradwell allowed another Jenkins run to score in the top of the third.
Tigers catcher Josh Driggers gunned down two Jenkins base runners trying to steal second in the top of the fourth.
Jenkins held the 2-0 lead until the bottom of the fifth. Wells led off with a single. Hawkins and Hodge also collected hits to tie the game 2-2.
But, in the sixth, The Warriors took advantage of walks and hits, including two three-run homers to plate 10 runners and a take 12-2 lead.
Bradwell continued to scrap in the bottom of the sixth as right fielder Ulrich John tried to start a Tiger rally with a lead off double, but could not capitalize.
Tiger coach Rhett Hellgren was pleased with his team’s performance, despite the loss.
"We never did quit tonight and I am really proud of them for that," Hellgren said.
He said the Tigers have to learn to play seven innings of baseball though.
"For 5 and two-thirds innings we played good baseball, but you’ve got to play the whole game to win," he said.
The Tigers end an important week going one-and-one in region play, defeating Groves earlier in the week. Bradwell is currently 3-2 in AAAAA Region 3 play.
AAAAA Region 3 Leader Camden comes to town to play Bradwell Tuesday. The Wildcats are 8-0 in the region and 13-1 overall.
"I am glad we have Camden at home Tuesday. I think we will be a surprise for them," Hellgren said.
Bradwell will finish their spring break, hosting Benedictine on Wednesday and traveling to Windsor Forest Thursday.
Jenkins 12, Bradwell 2
J 0 1 1 0 0 10 — 12
B 0 0 0 0 2 0 — 2
W- Ricks, Jenkins L- Wells, Bradwell
2B- Ulrich John, Eran Hodge 1B- Eric Wells (2), Zach Hawkins (2), Josh Driggers, Ulrich John, Eran Hodge