Baseball ‘Canes Lose Two
The Monticello Hurricane baseball team suffered decisive losses in their last two games.
Last Friday, April 7 it was to Morgan County 17-8, and on Monday, April 10 to Monroe Area 21-5.
After losing three starters, including senior Matt Hyde, the ‘Canes are back to being a young team with the usual starting lineup including three freshmen, two sophomores, three juniors and one senior. However, this young bunch had been playing well, and if not winning, at least putting themselves into a position to win.
This happened last Wednesday, April 5, when they played an error free game against the Jackson Red Devils, a team which moves up to triple A next year while the ‘Canes move down to single A.
The ‘Canes led 4-3 until the bottom of the sixth inning before finally losing 6-3. Freshmen Ethan Huff had five put outs at third base and contributed two singles at the plate, while Kyle Byrd had three put outs and two singles. The three RBI’s were contributed by Brian Anderson, Caleb Reynolds, and Lee Bailey.
The outfield, consisting of Bailey, Mark Pierce and Alex Jordan made some outstanding catches and didn’t allow any balls to pass them. J.C. Dunagan scattered eight hits and struck out three over seven innings.
They have seven games left on their schedule, all of which are region games. The team is scheduled to play Oglethorpe today, April 13, at 5 p.m. in Lexington, and North Oconee at home on Tuesday, April 18 beginning at 6 p.m.
Region Standings
School Region Overall
Morgan Co. 3-0 5-3
Westside/
Augusta 2-0 4-2
Oglethorpe Co. 6-1 10-4
North Oconee 7-3 10-8
Monticello 2-3 3-12
Greene Co. 1-3 1-5
Putnam 0-2 0-6
Laney 0-3 0-5
Josey 0-3 0-5
Jr. Varsity
Returning from Spring Break, the Jr. Varsity was scheduled to play Social Circle on Wednesday, April 12, in Social Circle.
Middle School
The Middle School played Carver Middle School from Monroe, at home on Tuesday, April 11 and lost 7-3. However, the game was much closer than the score indicates and the team played a good game with some excellent individual plays.
In the seventh inning T.J. Osborne made a backhanded scoop of a hot grounder and made the long throw from third to first for an out. Shawn Sands saved two runs when he caught a line shot to center field.
Keaton Ring pitched six and one-third strong innings, only giving up six hits, all singles, and striking out 10 batters at the plate. Colt Spivey, Chris Sands and Ring each had hits.
The team has two games, both at home at 4:30 PM, left on their regular schedule. They play Social Circle on Friday, April 14, and Youth on Friday, April 21.
After these two games they will play in the Middle School Tournament in Loganville on May 4, 5, and 6. Times will be announced later.