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Swain rolls past SM in year’s first game
Swain rolled to a 12-2 victory over Smoky Mountain in the baseball season opener Feb. 27 at Bryson City.
The Maroon Devils had only five hits but took advantage of four errors in the first inning to score six runs.
Mustang pitchers walked eight and hit a batter.
“We’ve got three seniors, and they really have taken on the leadership,” said Marvin Schade, SM’s new coach. “It’s always a tough thing for seniors with a new coach. All of them want to win. Other than those three we’re young, and young people have on days and off days. This was one of those off days.”
Smoky Mountain’s pitching struggled in last week’s season-opening loss at Swain, but Alex Koji pitched four strong innings helping the Mustangs to a 5-3 victory at North Buncombe in their second outing. – Herald photo by Carey Phillips
The four errors helped lead to six runs for the Maroon Devils. Ben Pacey had a double in the frame while Justin Crawley and Jake Smith delivered singles.
Pacey doubled and scored in the second making it 7-0.
Doubles by Sam Allison and Andy Potter produced the Mustangs’ first run in the third.
Josh Allman had a three-run double in the Swain third, an inning during which there were five walks, as the lead reached 12-1.
Alex Koji doubled in the SM fourth, and Jacob Buchanan drove in SM’s second run with an infield out.
Pacey had two hits in two at-bats.
Crawley was the winning pitcher in relief.
Mustang starter Sammy Matthews took the loss.
Playing at home, the Mustang JVs opened the year with a 7-2 win.
“Lucas Brooks did an outstanding job pitching,” Coach Ron Watson said. “The defense did well for such a young team.”
Brooks, Chris Matthews and Will Clarke all had two doubles.
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