Bainbridge Bearcats sweep doubleheader over Westover at ASU East

ALBANY – The Westover Patriots jumped on the Bainbridge Bearcats with three first-inning runs during game two of a Thursday doubleheader then scored four more in the third inning but Bainbridge scored 16 times in the top of the sixth inning to win game two 18-9 at Albany State East. Errors and walks in game one helped Bainbridge beat Westover 18-5.

In the nightcap, Westover freshman Dominique Ball smacked a two-out double to left with the bases loaded in the bottom of the first that scored Tommie Terrell and Jaylan McLoyd before Kingston Offord also scored when Bainbridge made a throwing error and Ball ended up at third.

Offord belted a line drive to right in the fourth that knocked in two rams, but a Bearcat throwing error allowed Offord to circle the bases and score as well. A two-out single by Aden Reese gave Westover a 7-3 lead.

Things fell apart in the sixth inning. Westover pitcher Christopher Jones pitched a strong five innings but got into trouble in the sixth. He gave up three runs in the sixth but changing pitchers didn’t slow down the Bearcat onslaught as Aden Reese and Kingston Offord struggled to find the strike zone and allowed ten walks in the sixth inning.

The Patriots outhit the Bearcats 11-9 in game two. Ball had two doubles while Jaylan McLoyd doubled and tripled for the Patriots but it wasn’t enough.

In game one of the doubleheader, the Patriots moved out to a 1-0 lead in the first when Ball walked with the bases loaded, but the Bearcats scored six times in the second and six more in the third to lead 12-1 and win 18-5.

Ball took the loss on the mound. He pitched two and two-thirds innings, giving up 12 runs, six of which were earned. He allowed just four hits but walked eight. Kenton Qumbley and Offord pitched in relief.

The Patriots will play at Baconton Charter Tuesday then host Monroe at ASU East on Wednesday.

By Joe Whitfield
Sports EditorJoeWhitfield[email protected]