Strong pitching, offensive burst gives CHS win

Byt Dan Ries

Sports Reporter

Hayden Jenkins threw six strong innings allowing just one run while striking out 12 as the Carrollton Warriors defeated Marlington 4-1 on April 18 at Hensley Field.

Garrett Broadwater returned to the lineup for the Warriors following an injury to his knee in his first at bat of the season.

Jenkins started the game by striking out the first batter on three straight pitches. The next batter hit a double past a diving right fielder. The next batter singled to left, giving the Dukes a 1-0 lead. Another single and a walk would load the bases. Jenkins got the next batter to fly out to left field to end the inning.

Carrollton was held hitless until the fourth inning. Hunter Allison led off the fourth with a single up the middle. Landon James hit into a fielder’s choice at short removing Allison from the basepath. Cooper Haun connected for an infield hit to short followed by an infield single by Isiah McConnell that ricocheted off the mound, loading the bases. Aiden McCort followed with an infield single scoring James. Isaac Husted followed with the Warriors fourth infield single of the inning, driving in Haun. Broadwater drew a walk to score the third run of the inning, giving the Warriors a 3-1 lead.

The hosts added a run in the bottom of the sixth. McConnell reached first on a misplayed bunt. McCort hit a sacrifice bunt to advance McConnell to second. A fast ball strikeout allowed Husted to reach first safely. A ground ball sacrificed by Jenkins drove in McConnell for the Warriors fourth run.

Jenkins gave up just one hit after the first inning. He struck out five of six batters he faced in the second and third inning, including five in a row. He left the game in the seventh after walking the leadoff hitter. Husted pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

“He settles down after an inning. It usually takes him one or two innings. Then he really starts getting loose and confident,” Coach Connelly said of his ace pitcher. “We finally got him some runs.”

Jenkins got the win, giving up one earned run on four hits, three walks and struck out 12.

Haun was 1-3, scoring a run. McConnell went 1-3, scoring two runs while McCort and Husted both went 1-3, with an RBI each.

Salem

The Warriors hosted Salem April 16, losing the matchup 4-2. 

Salem took a one run lead in the first inning. The Warriors tied the game in the bottom of the  fifth and took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth. Salem scored three runs in the top of seventh for the come from behind victory.

McConnell pitched seven innings, giving up four runs, one earned on eight hits, one walk with six strikeouts. Salem outhit the Warriors 8-1. The Warriors did walk nine times. Both teams had one error.

Jenkins was 1-3 with an RBI. Marshall had an RBI. McConnell scored a run, walking twice.

The second game of the  home series was played April 17. Play was suspended in the top of the fourth inning with the Warriors leading 5-0. No continuation date was available at press time.