Pats Fall Despite Gem From Bradley,1-0

Published by Editor on April 10, 2014.
Published under JCHS Sports

Jefferson County vs. Sevier County at Smokies Stadium
Staff Photo by Mike Stanley, Jefferson County Post Sports

The Jefferson County Patriots gave the #2 ranked Sevier County Smoky Bears all they wanted Wednesday night in a game held at Smokies Park in Sevierville. Freshman Matt Bradley got the start on the mound for the Patriots and according to Head Coach Gaines Cox did exactly what the team needed, “Matt Bradley gave us tonight exactly what we thought he was going to give us. He gets out there and competes, he’s confident, and hopefully his performance will be contagious for us on the mound.”

Jefferson County, losers of seven games in a row, were not intimidated by the big stage of a big ball park, Or even of the #2 team in the state one night after falling to them 11-4 at home. The Patriots were able to compete in all aspects of the game, playing solid defense, and competing at the plate, “We squared up a lot of baseballs, we hit the ball hard, and played pretty good defense and pitched it extremely well.” Cox said. He also added “That’s the process we have talked about all season long and we were able to put that process together tonight.”

The first hit of the game by any team came in the bottom half of the second inning when Sevier County’s Jake Hall got on with a single. The momentum was short lived as the next batter, Zach Linginfelter, would ground into an inning ending 4-6-3 double play and the teams were scoreless after two. The lone score of the contest came after Devante Matthews singled and stole second and later scored from second base on a pass ball due to the deeper than normal back stop at Smokies Park. There was a play at the plate, but catcher Jonathan Royster’s toss was just off target, as Matthews slid in safely. The Smoky Bears led after 5 innings of play, 1-0. Jefferson County would threaten in the top of the seventh inning when Silver Munguia reached on a walk with one out. That was as close as he would get, as the next two batters would fly out to centerfield and end the contest, 1-0.

The Patriots fall to 6-9 (3-6 IMAC) on the season, but Head Coach Gaines Cox is still hopeful for his young baseball team, “We are not happy with the result, but we hope that it continues on Thursday, in practice Friday, and back here Saturday against Catholic. We hope we get more consistent with that process whether it be in practice or a game.”