Canes Lose To Banks During Doubleheader

The Monticello Hurricane baseball team traveled to Banks County last Friday to take on the Banks County Leopards in a Region 8-AA

doubleheader. The Diamond Canes lost both games by a score of 3-1.

In game 1, the Canes struck first in the first inning on a single to left field by senior catcher Tyler Wages to bring in Cole Hays. Banks answered back in the bottom of the second to tie the game at one. It was a pitcher’s duel until the bottom of the fourth where Banks managed to push across a run to make it 2-1. Banks would then add another run in the bottom of the fifth bringing the score to 3-1.

Hays got the start on the mound for the Canes and pitched well scattering three hits while only giving up 1 earned run.

“Cole has done a great job this year on the mound for us.” noted Coach Brady McMichael. “He is attacking the strike zone and giving us a chance to win.”

The coach continued.”We left nine guys on base in the first game and that is what cost us. We have put ourselves in situations to score but we just haven’t been able to come up with timely hits in a few of our games this year.”

Mac Barton and Matt Cain both had two hits apiece.

In the second game of the doubleheader the score was the same with the Diamond Canes falling 3-1.

Myles Proctor got the start on the mound and pitched a great game.

“Even though Myles is a sophomore he pitched like an upperclassman in this game. He worked himself out of tough situations all night and battled through some adversity,” said Coach McMichael.

The Banks’ pitcher kept them off balance in the second game as the team only collected four hits. Trent Maddox, Barton, Justyn Fields, and Tristian Humphreys all had one hit. Cain came in during the sixth inning of both games and pitched well out of the bullpen, said the coach.

“We have had a tough time this year getting guys in and putting runs on the board. I keep telling our guys that pitching and defense will win us games and so far pitching and defense has kept us in just about every game.

“We have to get better at finding ways to do the little things right in order to win baseball games. Banks County is a good team and will compete for a region title and we went out and competed very well against them. We still have the majority of our region schedule left to play and if we can find ways to get runners in and keep pitching and playing defense like we have, we will be just fine.”

The varsity squad followed up the region loss to Banks with a 4-1 win at non-region opponent Stratford Academy. Stratford scored first with its only run in the first inning but the Canes came up with three runs in the third and one in the fourth for the victory.

The varsity Canes were to play Wednesday at Baldwin County High School, weather permitting. A big region doubleheader is scheduled at home against Union County Friday, March 13 at 5 p.m.

Coach McMichael noted that Union County is a good team that has already beat Banks County once.