Justin Emmerling cracked an RBI single with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning as the Bryant Hornets junior varsity team claimed a 1-0 win over the Sheridan Yellowjackets JV on Thursday night. Right-hander Dylan Hurt pitched a five-hit shutout aided by some strong defense, particularly from second baseman Connor Tatum and shortstop Jake East.
The Hornets were blanked on two hits by Sheridan right-hander Andrew Clark through four innings. In the bottom of the fifth, however, Tatum walked, Logan Allen beat out a perfect push bunt for a hit and, after East sacrificed them to second and third, Evan Lee was issued an intentional walk to set up a force at every base. The Jackets pulled an outfielder into the infield to try to cut down on the gaps and prevent the run but Emmerling yanked a shot inside the third-base bag for the game-winner. It was his second hit of the contest.
It was the Bryant JV team’s 14th win in as many games. Along with Emmerling and Allen, Austin Kelly contributed a single.
Hurt pitched around an infield hit by Dustin Reid, a walk to David Rainwater and a balk with two out in the top of the first. In the second, Renner Smith and Jake Smith each had singles but were stranded. Gunner McGathey and Zach Glidden singled to lead off the third but, after David Vilches sacrificed, Nick Whitley smacked a sinking liner that East plucked out of the air at shoe-top level. He fired to third in time to double up McGathey to end the threat.
Hurt worked around a two-out error in the fourth and retired the last four batters in succession. He walked one and struck out two.
