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Errors, base running costs BR two defeats
Miscues on the base paths as well as blunders defensively left the Blue Ridge baseball team on the losing end to Hiwassee Dam 5-3 and Andrews 6-4 in last week’s action.
In a crucial Little Smoky Conference game at Hiwassee Dam on March 15, Chris Allen hit a game ending three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to lift the Eagles to a comeback victory.
Blue Ridge scored a run in the third as Michael Bradley singled, moved to second on a wild pitch and came home on Nick Miles’ single. The Bobcats went up 2-0 in the fifth when Eric Farmer singled, stole second and came home on Bradley’s single.
Bobcat pitcher Miles was cruising until the bottom of the sixth when he gave up two consecutive hits and a walk. After getting a double play, a line drive which could have been caught fell in for a hit and a 2-2 tie.
Miles tripled in the seventh and scored on Goodwin fielder’s choice for a 3-2 edge.
Goodwin, who was pitching in relief, walked two batters ahead of Allen’s homer in the bottom of the seventh.
“I give Hiwassee’s Allen a lot of credit,” Coach Jim Nichols said. “He played brilliantly at shortstop and prevented at least three runs then wins the game with one swing of the bat. We ran the bases like Little Leaguers and simply did not finish.”
The Bobcats (3-4) again let an early lead slip away by committing eight errors in Friday’s home game with Andrews.
Miles connected for his first home run of the season to give Blue Ridge a 4-2 lead in the fifth.
Andrews scored unearned runs in the sixth and seventh for a 4-4 tie.
Relief pitcher Miles struck out the first two hitters in the eighth before giving up a blooper to right and three consecutive walks as the Wildcats went up 5-4. After Miles fell behind 3-1 to the next batter Farmer relieved and threw ball four forcing in another run.
Joey Ferrin worked seven strong innings for Blue Ridge giving up five hits, one walk and two earned runs while striking out four. Miles took the loss.
“I’m very disappointed with how we’re playing right now,” Nichols said “It’s a shame to be getting the quality innings our pitchers are giving us and failing defensively.”
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