Middle School Canes Win in Extra Innings

The Jasper County Middle School baseball team started its 2021 season on a winning note last week defeating rival Putnam County 16-13 in eight innings on the road.

It was a game that featured three lead changes, three ties, home-runs and standout pitching.

The scoring started with the Canes taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI single by Ethan McMichael which scored Jamarkus Thomas.

Putnam rallied back in the bottom of the first using a two-run homer to take the lead.

After a scoreless second inning, the Canes came back and scored five runs in the top of the third to retake the lead. The inning was highlighted by a three-run blast to left-center by McMichael, who finished the game 3-of-4 with four RBI.

JCMS added to its lead with a run scored by Hayvan Sprayberry in the fourth on two walks and some timely base running. In the bottom of the inning, some untimely fielding mistakes, combined with a grand slam, allowed Putnam to retake the lead at 10-7.

McMichael entered the game to pitch to close out the inning and stayed in the contest the rest of the way. He only allowed three earned runs during the last 4.1 innings, striking out 13 batters and walking only two.

The Canes tied the score at 10-10 in the top of the fifth on a walk to Bryce Jackson and back-to-back to back singles by Evan Diaz, Thomas and Zach Ramsey. In the bottom half of the inning of what was a see-saw game, Putnam was again able to retake the lead with a single run on a leadoff walk that came around to score, followed by three consecutive strikeouts to end the inning.

In the sixth, Putnam added two more runs. The bats came alive again in the top of the seventh for the Canes as they scored three runs to tie up the game at 13-13.

McMichael closed the door on Putnam in its half of the seventh with two strikeouts. First baseman Brelynd Beasley make a strong defensive play to ensure JCMS would have another chance at the plate.

The Canes had two strikeouts to start the inning but that was followed by five consecutive walks which eventually led to a 16-13 lead.

In the bottom of the eighth, using international tiebreaker rules, the War Eagles began with a runner on second base. After a leadoff single put runners on first and third, McMichael had three consecutive strikeouts to end the game after four hours of action.

Leading the offense for the JCMS Middle School Canes were Thomas, who was 3-of-7, with four runs and three RBI; McMichael who went 3-of-4 with one run, four RBI, two walks and a homer; Gavin Bennett, who went 2-of-4 with a run and RBI; Beasley, who was 1-for3 with three runs, one RBI and three walks and Ramsey at 2-of-5 with an RBI.

Coach Zachary Houston also noted he is expecting key contributions from Bryan Ridley this spring.

JCMS was scheduled to host GMC on Wednesday.