HARRELLS – Tyler Eason batted 3-for-3 and Cooper Long and 2 relievers pitched Emereau Bladen to a 5-3 non-conference middle school baseball victory over Harrells Christian Thursday.
Eason drilled a single to right-center field in the 1st inning and raced home when Jayce Hatcher walloped a double to right field.
Ryker Strickland walked, and Grayson Freeman was hit by a pitch in the Aviator 2nd inning. Long belted a single to left-center field that scored Strickland. Eason knocked in Freeman with a single to center field, and Long scooted home on a passed ball to stretch the Emereau lead to 4-0.
Luke Jackson cracked a 1-out single in the Crusader half of the 2nd and scored when Walker Clifton swatted a single to left. Walker Clifton scored on Noah Tanner’s single to trim the margin to 4-2.
Long reached base on a fielder’s choice in the Emereau 4th inning, advanced on Eason’s single and scored as Hatcher reached base on an error.
Wilson Clifton walked and scored the final Harrells run on M. Marlowe’s single in the 4th inning.
Long pitched 3 innings and allowed 2 runs on 4 hits and a walk while striking out 3. Freeman pitched the 4th inning and gave up a run on a hit and a walk while striking out one. Cade Rogers pitched a scoreless 5th inning with 2 walks and 1 strike-out to pick up the save.
Eason scored a run and had an RBI to go with his 3 hits. Hatcher slammed the RBI double, and Long smacked the RBI single and scored twice. Strickland and Freeman scored runs.
“Solid pitching by 6th grader Cooper Long today and relief by Grayson Freeman and Cade Rogers,” said Aviator Coach Joseph Hatcher. “Great defense all around for Emereau. These kids make me proud.”
The Aviators evened their record at 4-4 and will host Harrells on April 18th at County Park.
Emereau 130 10 — 5-5-0
Harrells 020 10 — 3-5-1
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