Bradwell routs Johnson H.S.
By John Wood
Coastal Courier Correspondent
Bradwell’s baseball team run-ruled Johnson, 16-1, in four innings Friday night. The Tigers earned their second double-digit win in a row.
Tigers pitcher Eric Wells struck out five and only gave up two hits in three and a half innings of work.Wells struck out the first Johnson hitter, setting the tone for the game.
Bradwell’s Zach Hawkins reached base on an error. He was able to move to third on Johnson’s frequent passed balls.
Tiger coach Rhett Hellgren attempted to put a safety squeeze play on, but crossed signals caused Hawkins to be thrown out at home and the Tiger hitter struck out, ending the first inning with no score.
Hawkins’ two-RBI double led the Bradwell attack in the second inning — the team scored seven runs. Garrett McCorkle, Ulrich John and Wells each had a base hit.
The third inning proved to be the Tigers’ bonus inning. McCorkle added a pair of doubles and Eran Hodge singled. Bradwell sent 12 batters to the plate and took advantage of Johnson fielding errors and passed balls, plating six more runs.
The Tigers were up 13-0 going into the top of the fourth.
Bradwell gave up their only run to Johnson in the top of the inning.
Josh Driggers singled for the Tigers in the bottom of the fourth and Johnson issued five walks, allowing Bradwell to score three more runs to complete the rout.
Bradwell scored 16 runs on eight hits and one error. McCorkle led the Tigers at the plate, going three for four with two doubles and a single.
"We have just won our second game in a row and anytime you win, it’s good," Hellgren said.
An important week looms for Bradwell. The team faces region foes Jenkins and Groves. Jenkins is considered by many to be the best team in the region. Groves is also one of the more competitive Savannah schools.
Friday’s victory brings the Tigers’ record to 4-8 overall and 2-1 in Region 3-AAAAA. They play a non-region game Tuesday at Richmond Hill then a region game Wednesday against Groves in Savannah.
Johnson 0 0 0 1- 1
Bradwell 0 7 6 3-16
WP: Bradwell’s Eric Wells
2B-Bradwell, Garrett McCorkle (2), Zach Hawkins. 1B-Eran Hodges, Garrett McCorkle, Ulrich John, Jacob Dill and Josh Driggers. SB-Zach Hawkins, Matt Rogers, Eran Hodge and Jacob Dill.
Bradwell’s baseball team defiantly broke an eight-game losing streak Thursday, defeating region opponent Beach High School 16-1 in three innings.
The Beach pitcher struggled early on, giving up a hit and walking in four runs in the first inning. The Tigers closed the first up 6-0 after two more runs were scored by hits.
Tiger pitcher Jacob Dill closed the Beach High batters and the Hinesville boys took their at-bat.
The Tigers loaded the bases after Eran Hodge was hit by a pitch, Ulrick John made a base hit and Garrett McCorkle followed suit. Dill smacked the ball to centerfield, bringing in two more runs.
With runners on second and third, Leonard Felton’s hit was fielded for an out, but it gave McCorkle time to tag and head home. Two wild pitches allowed the Tiger runner to score to close the second up 10-0.
In the top of the third inning, Beach scored its first and only run
In the third, Eric Wells scored a run. The Tigers loaded the bases and score a run and walked a run. John walked in for another run to put his squad up 14-1. Rogers smacked the ball down the third baseline to bring in the remaining Tiger runners and end the game 16-1.
"A win is a win no matter what," Tiger coach Rhett Hellgren said. "We’ll take a win right now after losing eight in a row."
The coach said the next three games are critical region games against Johnson, Groves and Jenkins.
"The region games are what we are out here for," he said. "Hopefully this will start us on a roll through the region games."Hellgren said his players must continue to play to their capabilities. Having a younger squad means the players and coaches are still evaluating positions to ensure the team’s identity is established as the heart of the region schedule begins.
The one thing the Tigers’ fanbase and coaching staff is sure of is the squad’s perseverance. They don’t give up and they play with heart.
"We will be OK," Hellgren said.
The win against Beach gives the Tigers a balanced 1-1 Region 3-AAAAA record.