Hornets jump on Rockets for Central win

BRYANT – The Bryant Hornets put up six runs in the first two innings in an eventual 8-5 win over the Catholic Rockets in 6A Central Conference action Thursday in Bryant.

The win puts the Hornets at 10-1 overall, 2-0 in the Central.

The Hornets struck early with some help from the Rockets as after Catholic induced a pop out, three straight hit by pitches loaded the bases for Bryant before senior Noah Davis scored on a wild pitch. Junior Turner Seelinger followed with a 2-run single for the 3-0 lead after one.

The Rockets responded with consecutive one-out doubles in the top of the second to score a run, but the Hornets weren’t finished. Bryant junior Lawson Speer singled, sophomore Jordan Knox walked and senior Ryan Riggs reached on a bunt single to load the bases. Davis drew a walk to plate Speers before Knox scored on an error. Though junior Connor Martin grounded into a double play, a run scored to make it a 6-1 game after two.

The Rockets scored once in the third on a sacrifice fly to make it 6-2, but came up

empty in the fourth after loading the bases with one out. The Hornets took that momentum into the bottom of the fourth as Riggs and Davis singled, and Ledbetter walked to load the bases before Martin singled to left knocking in two for the 8-2 lead. The Rockets scored two in the fifth and one in the seventh but the Hornets would hold on for the win.

Riggs finished 2 for 4 with two runs, with Martin and Seelinger both going 1 for 2 with two RBIS. Davis added two runs and an RBI going 1 for 2, with Speer also going 1 for 2 in the win.

Seelinger picked up the win on the mound giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and five walks, striking out three in 3.1 innings. Junior Colby Morrow pitched 3.2 innings of relief, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits and one walk, striking out four.

The Hornets will play next week in a tournament beginning Thursday, with details forthcoming.