DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
There were few bright spots in Thursday’s senior night festivities for the Bellmont Braves as they struggled to get outs against Jay County and played just five innings, losing 15-4 to the Patriots.Â
Eli Laurent collected two hits in his final appearance at the Bellmont diamond, stroking a double and a triple in an otherwise poor hitting night for the Braves.Â
The Braves scored a single run in each of the first four innings, but could not extend the game in the fifth inning.
Jay County hit the ball hard in the first two innings against Bellmont starter Beau Baker, who hit three batters and allowed eight runs.
Coach Tom Montgomery switched pitchers and went with Will Baker, who was hit just as hard, capped off by a grand slam by Sam Myers with two outs in the fourth, making the score 15-3.Â
Josh Dowlen had the only other extra-base hit for Jay with a double in the fifth inning as the visitors played patiently and took their bases, playing with energy throughout.
Lefty Justin Edwards used his curveball effectively to pick up the W, throwing four innings and allowing four runs while striking out eight batters before making way for Aiden Phillips, who pitched a clean fifth to end the senior night festivities.
Along with Laurent, other seniors played their final home game. Austin Christner started in left and made a nice diving catch in the fifth inning. Julius Miller started at first base (featured photo above) and Ivan Vergara started in right field and later entered the game at pitcher. Vergara did not allow a run in 1.1 innings of work.