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(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) While the Steers ultimately had trouble getting the ball passed the infield in this game, they were still putting it in play early with runners on base leading to their only runs of the game against the Brock Eagles. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Baserunning would be a key characteristic of Graham’s early advantage in their matchup against the Brock Eagles on Friday, March 28. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) The infield warming up for the latter portions of their Friday, March 28 matchup against the Brock Eagles.
The JV Red Steers took a hard fall after being mercy ruled in a 15-2 loss to the Brock Eagles.
This was a situation that JV head coach Bubba Brewster said is a one-off and not to be expected from the 11-win team.
“I don’t think they’ll have any problem of re-focusing,” Brewster said after the game. “Everybody understood the situation. That one got out of hand. Those kids are winners and they’ll refocus.”
Despite the score, there were some bright spots throughout. The Steers took the lead in the bottom of the first on an infield single, and had a solid pitching performance in the top of the second.
After surrendering a run to tie the score 1-1, Graham’s pitching unit mitigated the damage with a key strikeout and flyout to end the frame and strand runners in scoring position for Brock.
The Steers then retook the lead in the bottom of the second after a single and double steal due to poor fielding from Brock.
The runner at third then scored on a wild throw to first on the next at-bat to make it 2-1 Steers.
Graham’s pitching unit had a little bit of trouble in the top of the third, surrendering two more runs, but once again mitigated further damage with a key strikeout to strand runners at second and third once again.
“To be honest, we played an extremely good game for five innings and then things just kind of snowballed,” Brewster said. “Just let it get away there in the late innings and I think we lost some of our compete there at the very end.”
Brewster’s sentiments about the later innings were not an understatement. In particular, the top of the sixth inning was miserable for the team. They went from being in a manageable contest to surrendering nine runs and saw multiple pitching changes throughout.
Despite the loss, Brewster has not lost any confidence in his team. According to him, they’ve had a “heck of a season” going on, and he believes this loss is a shock to the system. The team needs to reset and move forward stronger.
After traveling Tuesday, April 1 to Brownwood, the Steers will host the Brownwood team in another match held Friday, April 4 at Hogan Field.
