The Bryant Hornets junior varsity improved to 4-0 on the season with an 8-4 win over the[more] Arkadelphia Badgers JV Monday night.
Wesley Akers and Braden Jones each had two hits while Jones and Austin Caldwell combined to limit Arkadelphia to just two hits in the four-inning contest. The two Bryant hurlers combined to walk seven, however, and the Badgers took advantage to score its four runs late.
Jones blanked the Badgers through the first two innings as the Hornets grabbed a 2-0 lead. In the first, Marcus Wilson walked, stole second and took third on an overthrow. Akers plated him with a sacrifice fly.
In the second, Daniel Richards singled to right with one down. Caldwell was hit by a pitch then the do worked a double steal setting the stage for Jones’ RBI single.
Arkadelphia tied the game in the top of the third. After a lead-off walk, Kris Oliver got his team’s first hit, a single. A double brought both runners home. An error extended the inning but catcher Blain Jackson gunned down the runner trying to steal and Jones got the final out on strikes.
The Hornets took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning. Akers led off with a single and advanced on passed balls as Jackson and Chase Tucker drew walks. After Akers had scored on a passed ball, walks to Richards and Caldwell produced runs as courtesy runner Ty Harris and Tucker scored.
Arkadelphia added a pair of runs in the top of the fourth, taking advantage of four walks and a groundout.
But the Hornets scored the three-run limit again in the bottom of the inning to put the game out of reach and thus bringing it to an end.
Jones singled to start the uprising. Korey Thompson’s base hit was followed by a walk to Trevor Ezell. Jones scored on a wild pitch then Thompson came in on a passed ball. With Ezell at third, Akers singled to bring him home with the game-ending tally.
