‘Canes Lose Close Game to Bleckely

The varsity baseball Hurricanes dropped a heartbreaking loss Monday to Bleckley County 6-4 with Tyler Seawright having a great day on the mound for the ’Canes, earning five strikeouts several ending the Bleckley batting.

Offensively, the ’Canes out hit their opponent but left too many runners on base during their seven innings.

Bleckley Co. started the game strong earning five runs in their first at bat. They held the ’Canes to three runs as the ’Canes batted through their first eight batters, with three scoring ending the first 5-3.

The second inning was a quick one with Seawright earning a strikeout to retire the side after Walt McMichael caught a grounder to short and threw to Aaron Newton at first and Cain Gonzales catching a pop fly in right field.

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Gonzales hit a single in the second and stole both second and third base with McMichael attempting to steal second after a walk enabling Gonzales to score leaving the score with the ’Canes trailing 5-4 going into the third.

The third and the fourth were both uneventful as neither team earned any runs or hits.

The ’Cane defense held strong in the fifth with Justin Bradley in left field catching two fly balls and Seawright ending the at bat with a strikeout.

At the plate, Brelan Crowe and McMicahel each earned a single to start the inning but were left on base.

Bleckely earned their final run in the sixth inning and the ’Canes couldn’t make up any ground on their at bat.

The seventh inning had fans on the edge of their seats when the ’Canes held Bleckley with a fly out to Gonzales and a magnificent double play that was lined to Dustin Womack at third, caught and hurled over to Newton at first for a double play.

Quinton Standifer led the order for the ’Canes and hit a hard ground ball to right field. The right fielder missed the ball and it rolled as Standifer tried for two and was tagged out. Crowe was then walked and McMichael struck out. Pat Clement hit a single and Newton also hit a single to load the bases with two outs.

As everyone sat nervously with anticipation, the inning was over with a hard hit fly ball, and a ’Cane loss.

According to head coach, Chris Jenkins, “Bleckley finished first in our region this year, and with the exception of the first inning, we outplayed them in all aspects of the game.”

“We will need to play seven solid innings against Putnam on Wednesday. If we win we are in the playoffs, if we lose, our season is over.”

The ’Canes have their last home game today, April 25 against Alcovy High School. They will honor their seniors prior to the first pitch at 5 p.m.