Blue Ridge Early College varsity baseball team started last Friday’s game at home against Hiwassee Dam and chalked up four runs in the first inning, but for the rest of the game the Bobcats put the brakes on hitting the ball and ended up with a 4-9 loss. BREC Head Coach Jason Watson said the offense just stopped producing.
“It got to a point when we just stopped hitting,” said Watson. “The pitching was ok, and it was Braden’s (Collins) second time. Our defense is getting better but we still got to work on fielding. And we’ve been hitting the ball great in practice, but in a game, that’s the main thing and it’s not happening. But we’ll work on it.”
BREC Braden Collins took the mound for the second time this season against Hiwassee Dam last Friday. BREC lost 4-9.
It was the second time BREC pitcher Braden Collins took the mound this season and had to maintain composure when the bases were loaded multiple times. Collins kept his cool and took down batter after batter preventing a final score that could have been much worse. BREC Jonathan Jennings had 3 RBIs in the first inning, but after that is when BREC’s offense ran out of gas.
“We just didn’t hit the ball,” said BREC Mason Baumgarner. “Whenever we did hit it, it went straight to someone. We also got to learn to judge those strike balls and work on a level swing.”
BREC Mason Baumgarner makes the catch at first for the out.
He added he’s wants to step up the intensity and work better as a unit moving forward.
“We need more confidence when the ball is hit to you, and don’t be scared to mess up, it happens,” said Baumgarner. “We’re a solid team. We just got to bring it together and learn our strengths.”
BREC Jacob Pressler gets ready to break for home and score one for the Bobcats.
Watson switched things up in the infield moving Jacob Pressler to short-stop and Carter Ferrin to second base because Ferrin has a torn tendon in his throwing arm and said both handled the change up well. BREC Logan Bryson said after the first inning just they couldn’t get their offense back up and running.
“We had such a hard time hitting the ball,” said Bryson. “Once we figure out our batting and start getting some solid hits, get all of our strikes in, communicate more out on the field, we’ll be alight.”
BREC catcher Carter Watson pops his mask and snags the fly ball.
BREC Carter Ferrin was playing second base with Jacob Pressler at shortstop. Pictured above the ball didn’t make it in time, runner safe.
BREC Colton Taylor breaks for a pop fly deep in the outfield against Hiwassee Dam.
BREC CJ Jennings makes the play at third last Friday against Hiwassee Dam.
Heads up, BREC Jacob Pressler ducks a high pitch against Hiwassee Dam last Friday.
Article and photos by Brian O’Shea
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