Playing six games in one week can be tiresome - especially when it's a physically demanding sport such as baseball. Playing that many games can be a downer for most teams as they start out great but by the end of the last game, their energy is just drained. For the Braves baseball team, however, it was quite the opposite.
After losing to Crittenden last Monday, followed by a loss to Henderson on Tuesday, the Braves kicked it into high gear, resulting in a three game win that started last Thursday against Lyon County. The big show of the week, however, was senior night when they were matched with St. Mary's and defeated them, 10-2.
As the Braves managed to hold St. Mary's and keep them from scoring during the first inning, they in turn were able to get one run when Nathan Hegepath was batted home. As St. Mary's was given another opportunity to score during the top of the second inning, Utley managed to strikeout one batter while the other two grounded out. Coming back to bat, the Braves widened their lead even more as they brought in three more runs. Matt Burke, Nathan Elder and Taylor Shirel were all brought home. The inning ended with the Braves having two runners left on base.
Going into the third inning, both teams were unable to find any runs, as they were all putout. The fourth inning was a good inning for the Braves as they scored four more runs, making the score 8-0. Dane Clevidence was the next batter for the Braves. Singling to first, D.Clevidence was able to steal second and third base and finally was batted home by Robison who had singled to first. The pitch hit N.Hegepath while he was up to bat and was given first base and turned around and stole second. After Robison, next to bat was Jerrod Burke who hit a three-run home run, bringing in N.Hedgepath, Robison and himself.
Finally, at the top of the fifth inning, St. Mary's was able to gain one run bringing the Braves 8-run lead down to seven. The Braves however, didn't score any runs during the fifth inning but were left with one runner on base. The sixth inning was another uneventful inning for St. Mary as their batters were all putout. The Braves however, gained two more runs when Utley was walked and Brian Bickett came in as a pinch runner for him. Bickett was able to steal second and then advanced home on a wild pitch. Alex Alvey was able to reach base after St. Mary's catcher dropped the ball on the third strike. Aaron Hegepath stepped in a runner for Alvey and was brought home by M.Burke.
During the top of the seventh, St. Mary was only able to bring in one run, ending the game 8-runs behind the Braves.
Utley pitched six innings for the Braves and only allowed four hits and one run. He had eight strikeouts and two bases on balls. J.Burke pitched the last inning for the Braves, allowing one hit and one with one strikeout and one base on balls.
This will be the last season for the four seniors on the team, as Utley, Elder, J.Burke and D.Clevidence will graduate in the upcoming weeks. The Braves only have three games left in the regular season and then will have districts next Monday, May 19.
The Braves next game will this Thursday when they host Hopkinsville at 6 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
