The Big Sandy Wildcats took a 13-10 loss on the road Saturday against the sixth-ranked Chester Yellowjackets in a non-district game. The Wildcats were playing their third game of the week, after beating Sabine Pass Tuesday (7-2) and Friday (13-3).
Big Sandy took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning with the bases loaded, when Chester’s second baseman dropped a pop fly, allowing a run to score. In the second inning, Ezekiel Angel picked up two RBIs on a triple over the centerfielder. Three batters later, with the bases full, Corbin Cude smashed a double to left-center, clearing the bases and putting the Wildcats up, 6-0. They scored another run in the third on an RBI-single by Angel.
Going into the bottom of the third, the Wildcats held a commanding 7-0 lead. However, the Yellowjackets would get seven hits and take advantage of two costly Big Sandy errors to snatch the lead, 8-7.
Big Sandy refused to give up, loading the bases in the fourth, but couldn’t take advantage. Chester added another run in the bottom of the inning to push their lead to two runs. They scored two more runs in the fifth inning, putting the Yellowjackets on top 11-7 after five innings.
Big Sandy kept fighting, loading the bases with no outs in the top of sixth, but managed only two runs, cutting Chester’s lead in half.
The Yellowjacket’s offense continued in the bottom of the inning, scoring two more runs on two hits, a walk, and an error, taking a 13-9 lead. The Wildcats scratched another run in the top of the seventh, but it wasn’t enough.
Daniel Barker started the game for Big Sandy, going 2.1 innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits, a walk, and four strikeouts. Angel pitched 2.1 innings of relief, allowing no earned runs, a walk, and struck out four. Gus Hardy finished the game, throwing the last 1.1 innings, allowing no earned runs on two hits, a walk, and a strikeout.
Pitching wasn’t a problem, as the defense committed nine errors, leading to 11 unearned runs. The Wildcats are swinging the bats very well. Angel went 2-for-5 with a triple, four RBIs, a stolen base and scored a run. Cude went 3-for-5 with two doubles and three RBIs. Hardy went 2-for-3 and scored two runs. Conner Ratcliff was hit by three pitches and scored two runs.
The Wildcats are now 8-11 on the season and currently fourth in district with a 4-2 mark. They will continue district play Wednesday against the Leggett Pirates (0-4), Thursday against the Hull-Daisetta Bobcats (5-2), and Tuesday against the Spurger Pirates (3-2).
