By Joshua Price/Sports Editor
Hokes Bluff High School rallied to score five runs in the final two innings of play to defeat West End High School, 8-5, in baseball on March 6 at Walnut Grove.
The Eagles trailed at the end of the seventh inning, 5-3. Runs by Dylan McKee and Chase Jackiel knotted the match.
The Patriots managed no runs in their half of the seventh inning.
Hokes Bluff led off the eighth inning with doubles by Braydon Hawk and Colton Shaw. The Eagles managed three runs in the eighth inning.
Caleb Mayo led off the bottom half of the eighth with a rip down the third base line. The speedster attempted to leg a triple out of a sure double, but was tagged out at third base. Mayo was the only scoring threat for the Pats in the eighth inning, as senior relief pitcher Austin Drake finished the next to batters off to seal the win.
“It was a good win for us,” Hokes Bluff head coach Mike Robertson said. “We had a good rally in the last two innings, but are still not playing good baseball.”
West End head coach Chad Hall said the Pats had many chances to win it.
“We lost a two run lead in the last inning. We made mistakes early in the game that caught up with us in the end of the game. This was the first game we have had to come from behind. We started area play this week and I hope he learn from this game.”
Jackiel led the Eagles’ offense with two hits and three runs, including a double. McKee scored two runs off one hit, including the opening run of the game in the top of the first inning.
Mayo led the Patriots with two hits, one run and two stolen bases, including a double. Ryan Mashburn scored one run and one RBI. Skylar McCright had a pair of hits and an RBI.
Drake earned the win for the Eagles, while Blake Simmons was charged with the loss for West End.
West End begins area play on March 8 versus Ohatchee.