‘Canes Massacre Northeast; Lose to Taylor

The Varsity ’Canes lost a close game to Taylor Co. 3-0 Tuesday after the offense struggled at the plate earning only two hits both from Chase Caron. Pat Clement had 3 stolen bases during the game.

Tyler Mote pitched all seven innings in a good game boasting three strikeouts and allowing only one hit per inning. He also had a good day defensively making several plays at first and catching a pop fly for the first out in the seventh.

It looked like the ’Canes were going to rally after Taylor earned 3 runs in the sixth, as the defense had a great showing with a double play made by the ’Canes when Quinton Standifer in center filed caught a fly ball and threw the tagged runner going from first to second out to take the ’Canes to their final at bat.

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The defense held their opponents to only scoring them when during the sixth had four runners in scoring position, but allowed the play at home to be made with catcher Pat Clement between him and Justin Bradley, and Walt McMichael earning the three outs of the inning.

“The Taylor game was a disappointing loss. We had an absolutely awful practice on Monday, and that seemed to carry over to Tuesday’s game,” said Head Coach Chris Jenkins.

“Teams overlooked us during the first half of Region play because of our youth, and now we have a bulls-eye on our back against those same teams, because of how well we played the first time around.”

“We are a solid team, and I emphasize team because they have played together as well as any group I’ve had. But we do not have dominant pitching, and aren’t the type of team that score runs in bunches, so we have to stay focused for all 7 innings and do the little things right.”

“We have done that for most of the season, but did not against Taylor, and it cost us. Fortunately, we still control our own destiny as far as the playoffs go and can use this loss as a learning experience.”

The ’Canes also dominated Northeast Macon last Wednesday earning a 16-3 victory.

The defense was led by Walt McMichael on the mound for the ’Canes who pitched five innings and earned five strikeouts, and only allowed three runs.

The ’Cane offensive had a strong showing scoring 12 runs in the first two innings at the plate.

Cavender led the hitting with three hits and 3 RBIs followed by Pat Clement with 2 hits earning 4 RBIs and Newton with 4 at bats and 2 RBIs.

Womack boasted a triple for the ’Canes while McMichael and Clement each added a double.

“Walt McMichael pitched all 5 innings vs. Northeast to pick up the win, and threw the ball well considering the wet conditions. Quinton Standifer, Patrick Clement, and Jacob Cavender all had good days at the plate, said Coach Jenkins.

The Varsity ’Canes are scheduled to face Lamar Co. at home tomorrow, Friday, April 12 at 5 p.m.; then Crawford at home, Tuesday, April 16 at 5 p.m. and will travel to Jackson next Thursday, April 18 with the game beginning at 5:30 p.m.