The Bryant Hornets B-team concluded its season with a split with Lake Hamilton to finish 12-2.
After losing the first game of the doubleheader, 5-4, Bryant claimed an 11-3 win in the nightcap.
“Our pitching was good but on defense we made some big routine mistakes and we made a lot of mental mistakes on the bases,” Coach Mark Jelks said of the first game. “We out-hit Lake Hamilton 11 to 6 but errors and mental miscues hurt us.
“The second game, we responded very well,” he continued. “However, I thought we actually hit better in the previous game. The difference was there were no mental errors or major defensive mistakes.[more]
“Chris Joiner, Brodie Nixon, Trent Rivers and Bo Stitch had a big day at the plate for us again. They have played well all year.
“Matt Neal picked up the loss in the first game,” Jelks noted. “Tryce Schalchlin came in again late for the second time this year, the first after being fully released by the doctors after his injury. He did a good job.”
Stitch got the win in the second game.
“I think that’s the best he has pitched all year with location and throwing four pitches for strikes,” commented the coach.
Ryan Weng worked the fifth inning to close out the win.
“We are very proud of the season that we’ve had,” Jelks concluded. “Finishing 12-2 is very good but the biggest thing for us is seeing these young men grow and get better and run our style of play better and better as the year went on. I think these young men have done an incredible job learning the system and running with it, getting better every game out. As a coaching staff, we are very proud of where these young me started and where they have finished the year. I hope to see them get even better this summer in league play.”
Bob Joiner
Congratulations to the players and Coach Jelks and Fisher for a job well done this season. You played well and should be proud of your efforts. Lake Hamilton pulled out all the stops in that first game by using several players that I’m sure play with their varsity squad on a regular basis and you still came within one hit of a victory.
Best wishes to the freshmen who are headed to the BAA.