DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
Bellmont junior Blake Christner pitched six innings of shutout ball as the Braves built a 6-0 lead against the Wayne Generals, but it was the visitors who put together an eight-run inning in their final at-bat to stun the home team Saturday afternoon.
Christner had allowed just five hits and walked none prior to the final inning. He also drove in a run for the Braves with a base hit.
The win was not to be, however, as Christner was lifted for Colten Ranly after hitting a batter. The junior came in and should have gotten out of the inning, but an infield error led to Ranly being charged with five unearned runs. After issuing his second walk, the Braves went back to the bullpen and Matt Bleeke. Bleeke also walked a batter and all of his inherited runners ended up scoring on wild pitches before he ended the brutal inning with a strikeout.
The Braves were able to put some pressure on the Generals in the bottom of the seventh. Jayden Springer singled after Kasey Teeter walked with two outs, but it was not to be for the home team.
Ranly gave the Braves the lead in the second with a base hit to right, scoring Teeter and it was Christner who placed a bunt in the correct spot to start a five-run rally in the fourth. Jaxon Blythe drove in a run with a sac fly later in the inning and it was followed up by RBI hits by Beau Baker and Kaigan Lee.
Baker, Lee and Teeter each had two hits for the Braves.
Gibson Mart was awarded the win for his scoreless inning of relief in the seventh.
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