Diamond Recap

By: T.J. Morgan, Freelance Sports Writer

The Hornets began the week with a home and away series against district rival Russell County. Brackston Pennington took the mound at Russell Tuesday against a stacked Laker lineup. While Brackston was unable to find his strikeout pitch, he pitched well, inducing ground balls that the Hornet infield was unable to cleanly field. The Lakers would put up eight runs in Brackston’s two innings on the mound, but only two would be of the earned variety. Jax Allen would record the lone hit for the Hornets, as they fell 0-11.

Wednesday the Lakers would make the trip to Edmonton, and face another Hornet ace, Maddux Garrett. Maddux retired the first six Laker bats on just ten pitches. His efficiency would continue through the evening as he would only need 73 pitches to get through six innings. Kruz Tucker brought a gold glove to the hot corner, making play after play for the Hornets. Although Maddux would only give up two earned, Metcalfe would once again have one lone hit from the bat of Jax Allen, ending the night in a 0-7 defeat.

While the Hornets dropped both district games to the Lakers, the young Hornet pitching staff showed they will not be intimidated, both pitching gems against a team that finished runner up in the state last season.

Brackston Pennington runs through the tunnel provided by Metcalfe’s Showstoppers dance team.
(Picture courtesy of Laurel Garrett)

Thursday, playing their third game in three days, the Hornets would face Caverna in the friendly confines of Edmonton Memorial Park. The Hornet bats would finally come alive Thursday evening. After Jax and Maddux reached base in the bottom of the first, Collin Shive would take the first pitch of his at bat 385 feet, over the outfield wall, for a three-run homerun. The hit party would continue throughout the evening, with the Metcalfe Smash Brothers Cole and Collin both recording three hits apiece, as well as Jax and Maddux reaching safely in every trip to the plate. In addition to his homerun, Collin would also find his way on the mound, striking out 5 Colonels and only allowing 2 hits, as Metcalfe cruised to a 16-1 victory.

The Hornets celebrate at home plate after Collin Shive’s three run shot.
(Picture courtesy of Laurel Garrett)