YSE File Photo
Heritage Christian Academy scored its first runs of the young high school baseball season Thursday, and even held a four-run lead in the third inning, but eventually suffered its third straight run-shortened defeat with a 16-5 decision at the hands of host Crittenden County.
The Warriors, who had been blanked by a combined score of 25-0 to start the year, broke a scoreless tie in Marion after Jayden Nichols singled and scored on one of four Rocket errors, giving HCA a 1-0 advantage early. After a wild pitch and another CCHS miscue gave Heritage two more runs, freshman Ethan Miles sent a sharp ground ball into left field, drove in Caden Greshman, and put the visitors abruptly ahead by a count of 4-0.
Crittenden County, fresh off a 20-0 victory in Tuesday’s season opener, would quickly respond, though, striking for five runs in the bottom half of the third inning. Jaxton Duncan’s two-out, two-run single would put the Rockets up for good. Crittenden then batted around and exploded for 11 more runs in the fourth inning, eventually leading to a mercy-rule decision.
Bradley Boyd looked to extend the contest with a two-out RBI double in the sixth for HCA, but Collin Outland was thrown out at home to end the night. Outland did manage two walks and two RBIs in the loss — both team highs.
Miles took the loss after allowing five hits and nine runs (four earned) in 3 1/3 innings. He also struck out a trio of Rockets. His counterpart, junior Asa McCord — struck out three, scattered a pair of hits and allowed four runs (all unearned) during his four-inning win on the bump.
Four different Crittenden County (2-0) players had two RBIs at the plate, including big nights from Tyler Belt (2-for-3, three runs, walk), Casey Cates (1-for-2, three runs, two RBIs, two walks) and Quinn Summers (1-for-2, two runs, two RBIs, walk) in the win.
HCA (0-3) will look to keep up its offensive momentum and be seeking its first win of the season when the Warriors visit Hopkins County Central on Friday evening. It will be Heritage’s fourth straight road game to begin the 2024 slate.
