By JOSH FRYE
News Sports Writer
J.U. Blacksher’s junior varsity baseball team finished off its season last Friday, March 22, with a 13-6 victory over Hillcrest that left the jayvee squad with an 8-4 season record.
“Every single kid worked hard this season,” head coach Justin Mixon said. “With the bulk of the team being eighth-graders, they have often played games against much older opponents. They went into every game with energy, effort and the want to win. I am excited to see how much the team will grow and what they will accomplish in their high school careers. I am extremely proud of every guy on this team.”
Jackson Reid started on the mound for the younger Bulldogs, pitching four innings and striking out 4 batters. Dawson Butts finished the game, striking out 2 more batters.
The JV Bulldogs made a strong appearance at the plate during the road contest.
Andrew Clausell singled in 2 runs, had a triple and scored a run to help lead the Bulldogs. Hudson Brown scored twice; Eli Smith brought two runs in and scored three times, and Joseph Gleeson singled in a run.
Also, J.R. House walked twice; Josh Burkett scored three times; Jake Coker and Conner Blackburn scored once each, and Riley Rodrick singled in two runs.
The win helped create a sneak peek into what next year might have in store for the varsity Bulldogs.
This year’s young and inexperienced varsity squad continued to improve.
Landon Mura helped generate another huge win for the varsity Bulldogs, striking out 9 batters as the team cruised to a 22-2 win over Hillcrest.
Tucker Spence and Damon Rolin scored three runs each against the Jaguars. Mura chipped in two runs; Michael Redditt and Dawson Hollinger each scored twice.
Talan Daughtry and Eli Smith both registered singles and each scored a run; Peyton Wilkins walked three times and scored three runs; Will Brown had a single and three runs, and Dawson Hollinger singled, walked three times and scored twice.
“The guys continued to show improvement and added confidence going into the backend of the season schedule,” Mixon said. “The guys now have a good feel for one another as a team and they understand what is expected from them from their teammates and coaches. They have worked hard, stayed positive and grown as a team together. I am very proud of each of them.”
The Bulldogs will enjoy some much-deserved time off (spring break) before continuing their playoff run by hosting rival T.R. Miller at 4 p.m. on Monday, April 1.