When an undefeated team like the Wayne County Yellow Jackets are set to play a baseball game, it’s a safe bet the squad’s opponent knows what it’s up against. On Monday, Bradwell Institute faced the Jackets on the diamond, and although the Tigers held them down early on, Wayne County pulled out a 12-0 victory to remain undefeated.
However, the Tigers deserve some credit. Eric Wells started for BI and pitched well. The Tigers allowed only one run in the first inning, thanks in part to Wells and the defense.
In the second inning, a Yellow Jacket player hit a double and was later brought in by a hit to center field that fell just short of BI outfielder Zach Hawkins. The Jackets scored another run on a throwing error by the Tigers to close the inning up 3-0.
The Tigers held the Yellow Jackets until the fourth inning when their throwing errors came back to haunt them. Bradwell allowed two runs by hits, but gave up three runs because of wild throws in the infield. Trailing 7-0 with one out, the Tigers pulled it together and closed out the inning with a double play at first and home.
In the fifth inning, the Yellow Jackets scored a run.
In the top of the sixth, Tiger Eran Hodge took the mound. The Jackets scored a run to go up 9-0. The next Yellow Jacket got on base and the following Jacket smacked a homerun over the light pole in left field to make it 11-0.
The next batter was able to steal second and third due to throwing errors. He later scored the winning run to end the game at 12-0.
The Tigers then hit the road for an away game on Tuesday against the Brunswick Pirates where the home team won 8-3.
According to BI baseball coach Rhett Hellgren, his squad is struggling a bit at the plate.
However, he said, Tiger batter Ulrick John was two of four at bat, including a thrilling three-run homer in the first inning.
The Tigers were scheduled to play Beach High yesterday at home and will host Johnson tonight for back-to-back region games.
Tonight’s game starts at 5 p.m.
They are currently 2-8 overall and 0-1 in the region.