Bradshaw, Rams sharp in 1- 0 game

Jacob Bradshaw scored a first- inning run for Lakeside and made it stand up.

The junior right- hander threw a two- hit shutout Thursday in a 1- 0 victory over Central Arkansas Christian in a battle for third place in the 5A- Southwest baseball standings.

“Outstanding by that young man today, not just pitching,” Lakeside coach Andy Runyan said. “Our big thing is talking about playing all 27 outs, and some people like to think that just pertains to the last three to six of the game. It really means out No. 1. Bradshaw comes out and gets a double, and that ends up being the difference in the game. He did a good job of coming out ready to play today.”

Bradshaw doubled and, with two outs, advanced on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch.

Bradshaw helped himself defensively in the second, spearing Benjamin Shields’ two- out liner with runners at second and third, and Spencer Hecke prevented a run- scoring double in center to end the CAC third.

“That was by far the best defensive game we’ve played all year, and man, what a time to do it,” Runyan said. “We had outfielders flying all over the place getting balls. Our first diving catch of the year was

Monday against Stuttgart, and then we have two in one game in huge spots. Bradshaw dove and caught one on Monday, and now we’ve got guys diving everywhere.”

Bradshaw retired 12 straight at one point, hitting a batter for the second time with two outs in the seventh before successfully fielding a ground ball to end the game.

Lakeside ( 15- 9, 6- 4) managed five hits against CAC right- hander Joey Pinney. Only Bradshaw’s double came with less than two outs, although the Rams extended Pinney’s pitch count with three infield singles.

“It’s something we stress every day in practice,” Runyan said. “We even stress hustling to class. Hustle is a big deal to us. One of the biggest strides we’ve made as a program ... is regardless of score and regardless of situation, we’re running hard to first base and it paid dividends tonight.”

Pinney struck out 10 with no walks for CAC, 6- 5 in conference. Bradshaw walked one and struck out five.

Lakeside continues league play today at Camden Fairview.

* CAC handed Lakeside’s softball defeat an 8- 3 loss Thursday, dropping the Lady Rams to 9- 7 overall and 6- 4 in 5A- Southwest before their game today at Fairview.

Lauren Crook pitched all seven innings for Lakeside, which got one hit each from Courtney Dodd and Haley Wesson.