Diamond Recap

By T.J. Morgan, Freelance Sports Writer

Metcalfe County traveled to Clinton County (2-1) last Monday for the first round of the Class A tournament. Maddux Garrett received the nod on the mound for the Hornets. Maddux managed the strike zone well in his start but was unable to miss the Bulldog bats. With very little run support behind the freshman pitcher and his counterparts in relief, the Hornets would fall, 1-16.

Brackston Pennington delivering a pitch for the Hornets. Photo courtesy of Laurel Garrett

Thursday night, Hornet fans would see another young gun on the mound for Metcalfe County, freshman Brackston Pennington. Brackston would have the tall task of facing an Adair County (3-2) lineup that would come in averaging nearly ten runs a game. Much like Maddux on Monday night, Brackston would challenge Indian batters with strikes, unfortunately, the tribe was up for the task. With a less-than-spectacular defensive performance behind their young arm and Metcalfe bats remaining silent, the Hornets would come up on the short end, 0-10.

While Hornet bats creating contact with the baseball has become a concern, there still remain plenty of positive takeaways from a young team still early in the season. A young rotation of Hornets (Shive, Garrett, and Pennington) have really commanded the strike zone well. Senior Aiden Grindle has given the team stellar innings in relief. Senior Jax Allen has done a solid job of commanding the outfield for the Hornets. Freshman third baseman Kruz Tucker has shown flashes of being a future stud both with his glove and his bat.

Now five games into the season, the Hornets will look to start putting more pieces together, beginning Tuesday as they open district at home against rival Cumberland County. Metcalfe will then make a quick turnaround trip to Cumberland Wednesday night and Caverna Thursday. Optimism remains high for the young Hornet squad, who seem just one step away from competing.

Jax Allen at the bat for the Hornets. Photo courtesy of Laurel Garrett