Hornets take 3rd in a row
SHERIDAN – In a pitchers’ duel throughout, the Bryant Hornets blew up in the last inning to claim a 9-4 victory over the Sheridan Yellowjackets in nonconference action in Sheridan for their third straight win since falling in three straight. The Hornets get back to .500 on the season, improving to 12-12 overall, still 5-6 in 6A Central Conference play. Bryant played tied with Catholic (9-2) and Conway (9-2) for the league leader Cabot (9-2) Friday, with results coming in Sunday’s edition.
The Hornets took the early lead Thursday with senior Connor Martin reached on a one-out walk, stole second and scored on sophomore Gideon Motes’ two-out RBI single to left field for the 1-0 advantage, and it stayed that way until the fifth when senior Lawson Speer singled, stole second and scored when Jordan Knox reached on an error for the 2-0 lead. Another error sent Knox to third before scoring on sophomore Grant Johnson’s squeeze bunt RBI for the 3-0 lead after four and a half.
The Jackets finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI single, but Bryant senior starter Logan White got out of the frame without any more damage with the Hornets leading 3-1.
Speer singled to start the top of the seventh, stole second and went to third when Knox again reached on an error. After an intentional walk to Johnson with one out to load the bases, Martin was hit by a pitch to force in a run for the 4-1 lead. A walk to senior Turner Seelinger forced in another before Motes’ sacrifice fly made it a 6-1 ballgame with two outs.
Bryant was not finished as White hit a 2-run double to center before senior Colby
Morrow tripled in White for the 9-1 lead going into the final half inning, where the Jackets put three on the board but no more.
White was excellent on the mound in earning the win, giving up just an unearned run on three hits and three walks, striking out five in six innings. White also led the way at the plate going 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIS. Speer went 2 for 4 with two runs and two stolen bases, Motes 1 for 3 with two RBIS, and Johnson and Morrow adding a hit and RBI apiece.