Halls Too Much For Patriots, 3-2 – Drop Double Header Friday

JCHS vs Halls in Smoky Mountain Invitational, March 27, 2014
Mike Stanley, Jefferson County Post Sports

Jefferson County had opportunities Thursday night but could not capitalize in a narrow defeat to the Halls Red Devils in the Smoky Mountain Invitational. Jefferson County would have 11 at bats with runners in scoring position, but only managed to plate 2 runs. The Patriots were able to tie the game in the fifth inning, but Halls would answer and defeat the Patriots 3-2.

The first inning saw each team get on with a single, but neither team would be able to plate one and we were scoreless after one. The Red Devils would score 2 runs on 2 hits in the bottom half of the second and were able to take a 2-0 lead into the third inning. Jefferson County would not get another base runner until Malik Kyle drew a walk in the fourth inning. Halls remained in control leading 2-0 heading into the fifth inning. Kyle Briggs would hit a 2 out bases loaded single in the top of the fifth to tie the score at 2-2. Malik Kyle would strike out looking for the third out and the score was tied going to the bottom half of the fifth. Halls would answer with a run in the bottom of the fifth to regain the lead at 3-2 heading to the sixth. The Patriots last threat came in the top of the sixth with a runner at second and two outs.  Eli Devotie battled with 2 strikes and would foul numerous pitches to stay alive before eventually being subdued with a ground ball to third base. The Patriots would get two singles in the final inning, but could not get one to the plate and fall 3-2.

Head Coach Gaines Cox on his team’s three game losing streak, “We must have a better approach at the plate. We are just not putting enough quality at bats together.”  He added  “ I felt like our energy and effort were better tonight.”

***Patriots Drop Double Header Friday***

Jefferson County would finish the Smoky Mountain Invitational with a double header on Friday night. The Patriots would drop the first game to the Karns Beavers, 3-2. Much like the first game of the tournament versus Halls, Karns would lead 2-1 heading to the fifth inning and the Patriots would respond by tying the game at 2-2. Logan Hayes would score on a ground out to second by Daniel Kirk to tie the game. Karns added a run in the bottom of the sixth inning and the Patriots couldn’t respond in the seventh, falling 3-2 for the second night in a row.

Jefferson County would take on Sequoyah in the night cap of the double header. Trailing 3-0 heading to the bottom of the sixth inning, Jefferson County used a double, a triple, and 2 errors by Sequoyah to score 4 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Patriots would lead heading to the final inning, 4-3. The Chiefs however, would score 4 runs of their own in the top half of the seventh inning and down the Patriots, 7-4.

Jefferson County has now dropped 5 games in a row after starting the season 6-2. In those 5 losses the Patriots have been outscored 29-8.