Diamond Recap

By T.J. Morgan, Freelance Sports Writer

Due to a blown transformer that disabled lighting at the city park, the Hornets began their week in their old home, Ralph Reece Field, against their revived district rivals, the Monroe County Falcons. On a Monday night that would see its fair share of precipitation, Brackston Pennington, who has become a workhorse on the mound for the Hornets, delivered as his usual, a spectacular start on the mound. Brackston would finish four innings on the mound, not allowing a single earned Falcon run to cross the plate. The Hornet line up would go to bat for Brackston, putting up eight runs against the Falcons. Unfortunately, the Hornet defense wasn’t as impressive, giving up ten unearned behind the Hornet staff. Despite a three-hit night for Kevin Graham, a multi-hit night for both Jax Allen and Collin Shive, and a stellar performance from Brackston, the Hornets would fall 8-15.

For their final regular season district matchup, the Hornets would return to the friendly confines of Edmonton Memorial Park to take on Clinton County Tuesday. The Bulldogs would jump out early, hanging eight runs in the top of the first. Following the first inning, 8th grade standout Chance Garrett would come in and provide an impressive six innings of one run relief. However, the Hornets could only summon two hits on the night behind the bats of Jax and Kevin. The Hornets would finish district play with a 1-8 loss to the Bulldogs.

While the results may not satisfy desire on the scoreboard, fans continue to see the promise of young Hornets night after night of the diamond. From Kruz’s golden glove and Collin’s big bat, to the big three pitchers, Maddux, Chance, and Brackston, the future of this squad shines bright.

Thursday night, the attention of the Metcalfe faithful would turn to the Hornet seniors, as Metcalfe hosted Glasgow, for 2023 senior night.

Jax Allen making a sliding catch for the Hornets.
Photo by Allyson Dix, JPI