Beech Tree News Network

Monday, March 16th at Greenwood - Loss 9-3
After weeks of snow and frigid temperatures the Bears traveled to Greenwood for not only their first game of the season, but also their first time stepping on to a baseball field this year.  Blake Graham started the game on the mound for the Bears but was knocked out of the game by the 3rd batter he faced on scary line drive off his ankle.  The Bears were a little flat as could be expected but managed to rally for some late runs and battled all of the way to the end.   The Bears used several pitchers, each pitching on a limited pitch count in an effort to keep everyone healthy in this early season tilt.  Hunter Wilson was a bright spot at the plate picking up 2 base hits.  Connor Reed collected the only other Bear hit on the night.
 
Tuesday, March 17th vs. Owensboro Catholic - Loss 13-7
Eddie Phelps started the game for the Bears vs. 3rd region perennial powerhouse Owensboro Catholic on Tuesday night.  The Bears again elected to pitch multiple pitchers on limited pitch count to keep those young arms healthy and to give several kids some mound time.  The Bears fell behind 12-1 going into the bottom of the 6th but once again showed a lot of fight and heart storming back to finish the game with 7 runs.  It was in a losing effort though, as Catholic prevailed 13-7 pushing the Bears record to 0-2 on the season.  Several Bear players had hits on the night but they were led by Brandon Jones who was 3-4 with 2 RBI. 

Thursday, March 19th vs. McLean County - Loss 4-3
The Bears lost a tough one at home on Thursday, falling 4-3 to McLean County.   The Bears wasted opportunity after opportunity early in the game at the plate, stranding runners in scoring position in each inning played, leaving 12 men on base for the game.  Blake Graham pitched 5 strong innings but was chased after McLean County finally got on the board first with 3 unearned runs.  The Bears scored 2 in the 5th and one in the 6th inning to knot the score at 3.  Mclean County scored another unearned run in the top of the 7th to take a 4-3 lead.  Brandon Jones led off the 7th with an infield hit but the next two Bear batters failed to advance Jones.  With 2 outs and Gage Ward at the plate, Jones took off on the first pitch.  Ward laced a line drive into the gap in right center.  McLean County made a perfect relay play to the plate to nab Jones on a bang-bang play to end the game.  Eddie Phelps was charged with the hard luck loss on the mound and the Bears fell to 0-3 on the season.  The Bears had several players with hits in the game, led by Hunter Wilson who had 3 hits.  

Friday, March 20th @ Russellville - Loss 8-6
Gage Ward took to the mound in search of the Bears first win of the season at Russellville on Friday night.  Russellville jumped out to a 5-2 lead but Ward kept battling and the Bears tied the score with a 3 run 5th inning at 5-5.  Russellville took advantage of Bears miscues to tack on 3 unearned runs late and held on for the victory over the Bears by a score of 8-6.   The Bears bats were solid with 9 hits (Doubles-Gage Ward, Lucas Tichenor and Lake Cameron; Singles – Trevor Parker (2), Brandon Jones, Eddie Phelps, Connor Reed, and Peyton Bratcher).    

Saturday, March 21st vs. Metcalf County - Win
The Bears returned home for a mid-day clash with Metcalfe County.  Both teams entered the game in search of their first win.  Metcalfe struck early scoring a run in the first to take a 1-0.  The Hornets added one more and the 2-0 lead held up as Trevor Parker dueled with Hornet pitcher until the 6th inning.  The Bears got on the board with an RBI single by Parker to make the score 2-1.  Metcalfe added an insurance run in the top of the 7th to make it 3-1.  But the Bears were not to be denied their first win as the first two guys reach based on a walk and a Metcalfe error.  Gage Ward then lined a double to the outfield to make the score 3-2 and after a Bear out, Eddie Phelps tied the game with a single.  With a man on 2nd and 3rd and one out, the Bears scored on a Metcalfe County wild pitch to pick up their first win of the season.  Jordan Dobbs pitched the top of the 7th and was the pitcher of record, picking up his first varsity win of his young career.