Diamond Canes Keep the Bats Hot
By ZACH HOUSTON
Junior Ethan McMichael and Sophomore Brelynd Beasley continued with their hot hitting streaks over the weekend against St. Francis, and again Tuesday in a region opening doubleheader against Towers.
Saturday, Beasley led the Hurricanes to victory in the opening game, a 14-3 Canes win, going 3 for 3 at the plate, driving in five runs thanks to two two-run homers and an RBI double, and picking up the victory on the mound, working three innings and allowing only three hits and two earned runs while striking out three. McMichael finished the first game 1 for 2 at the plate with 2 more RBI, but also contributed two scoreless innings to finish out game one.
In game two, another victory, this time by a 15-2 margin, McMichael’s bat provided the power, as he finished 3 for 3 with 4 more RBIs. He had a two-run homer and a two-run double in the 10-run second inning catapulted the Canes on top in a game in which everyone was able to contribute at the plate. Junior Grady Jordan picked up the win on the mound. Sophomore Jaxson Cohran ended the game on the mound with two scoreless innings, striking out four and only giving up one hit and one walk.
For the day, multiple Canes were able to contribute at the plate. Senior Chandler Aguirre finished the day 3 for 7 with 6 total RBI, senior Hunter Sorrows had a big day, going 5 for 7 with a 3B and an RBI, and sophomore Gavin Bennett was 4 of 5 with a 2B, 3B, an RBI, and 4 runs scored.
On Tuesday they welcomed the Towers Titans for a region opening doubleheader. The Titans arrived late to the game, but it did not delay the bats of the Canes as they picked up two wins in blowout fashion over the Titans, 22-0 and 17-0. In game one, Beasley and McMichael carried on with the title of Bash Brothers, with Beasley finishing 2 of 2 with 4 RBI, all of those coming on a grand slam home run in the first inning, where the Canes plated 14 runners. McMichael went 3 for 3 for the day, adding 4 RBI and two doubles in his three hits. Beasley picked up the win with three no-hit innings, walking one and striking out seven batters.
Many of the young guys played in game two, and the result was still similar to game one, with the team picking up the win by mercy rule 17-0 after a 10 run second inning. Hicks led the way at the plate, going 2 for 2 with 5 RBI. Freshman Kayson Hobbs finished with two hits and two RBI, and Aguirre, who was behind the dish for the game, finished with two hits in his three plate appearances. Junior Mikey Harbin, sophomores Tyler Ripley and Brayden Lewis, and freshman Owen Houston contributed one hit apiece to the cause. Sophomore Cam Stout picked up the win for the Canes, going all three innings, giving up two hits and striking out seven Titan batters. The Canes have now won 7 of their last 8 games, and stand at 9-7 for the season, 2-0 in region play.