Tyler Nelson allowed just one hit in five innings and the Bryant Hornets junior varsity team erupted for 11 runs in the bottom of the fourth to forge a 14-1 win over the Cabot Panthers JV on Tuesday.
Nelson walked six but struck out 11. The only hit was a lined single up the middle by Cole Thomas to open the top of the third inning.
Cameron Price provided the big blows of the big fourth for Bryant. He doubled twice in the inning, driving in five runs.[more]
Cabot had used three walks and a sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead in the first. Bryant countered with two in the bottom of the second inning. Nelson instigated the uprising with an infield hit. Marcus Wilson, in as a courtesy runner, advanced to second on a balk. Josh Pultro’s grounder to short was misplayed then Hayden Lessenberry lined a double down the line in left to make it 1-1. With two down, Hayden Daniel singled in Pultro to give the Hornets the lead.
After Thomas’ single to start the top of the third, Bryson Morris was hit by a pitch. But Thomas was caught trying to steal third and, after a walk to Justin Goff, Nelson struck out Tyler Carter and Jacob Luckett to end the inning.
Bryant tacked on a run in the home third when Lucas Castleberry singled to left, took second on Cameron Price’s sacrifice bunt then scored on Pultro’s single up the middle.
Nelson struck out the side in the top of the fourth and Daniel got the eruption in the bottom of the frame started with a walk. He stole second then Tyler Brown reached on a poor throw to first on his grounder to third.
Daniel, who wound up at third on the play, came home on a single to left by Landon Pickett. An out later, Price doubled in two on a shot to deep center. After Price advanced to third on a wild pitch, Nelson drew a walk.
Pultro greeted a new pitcher with a single up the middle, driving in Price and Wilson, who was in running for Nelson again.
Lessenberry singled Pultro to third, taking second on a late throw on an attempt to get Pultro at third.
Evan Jobe single to center, driving in Pultro. Jimi Easterling, running for Lessenberry, took third then Daniel loaded the bases by walking. A single by Brown brought in a run and, an out later, a walk to Castleberry forced in another. That’s when Price put the finishing touches on the win by clearing the bases on a double to deep center.
Nelson issued a walk with one out in the top of the fifth but then fanned the last two to close out the victory.
Along with Price, Brown, Pultro and Lessenberry had two hits each. Pultro drove in three. Daniel was on base four times on a single and three walks.
Bryant, now 10-2-1, visits North Little Rock on Thursday.
