by Danene Bottiaux, staff writer
The Bryan baseball team dropped three games against King College (Bristol, Tenn.), at home Monday and Tuesday, March 2-3.
Monday’s game started out with senior pitcher Mark Barnwell on the mound.
Update on players and lineup
Junior catcher Jon Brown was cleared to play after sitting out from an arm injury at the beginning of the season. Freshman catcher Jordan Day has a leg injury and was only able to play in the second game.
During the second inning junior Zach Bowe injured his leg and had to sit out the rest of the games, while sophomore Doug Stroup took his place in right field. There was also a switch in the lineup, with senior Will Newman on first base and freshman Brantley Hattrich on third base because senior first base Matt Hicks was injured.
Change in pitching
In the top of the fifth, the score was 12-3 and King College was winning.
Junior Daniel Zimmerman came in as relief pitcher in the middle of the fifth inning after Barnwell gave up three runs.
Zimmerman did a great job starting off on the mound and struck out his first batter, but in the fifth inning King was able to bring in four runs, putting the Lions behind by 10 runs.
Important Plays
In the bottom of the fifth inning, junior Ryan Henn hit a double to lead off. He then stole third base and scored, while the Lions were down by nine. Brown came up to bat after sophomore JD Davis and Newman had made it on base. Brown slammed the ball over the fence in centerfield and brought in three runs for the Lions. This made the score 13-7.
Ending of the First Game
In the top of the sixth, King College brought in three more runs. Henn caught two pop flies to centerfield and made an diving catch to end the inning.
The Lions were not able to come back for the win and lost to King College 17-7. This loss made the team’s record 4-11.
Second Game against King College
Starting out with freshman pitcher Zach Breazeale, the Lions were able to hold King College to one run at the top of the first.
The cold weather played a big factor while the players froze in the outfield and the strong wind was against them all. At the bottom of the third inning the score was 3-0 while the Lions were held to no runs.
The game seemed to be a drag for the men, while King College still had energy from their prior victory over the Lions.
Breazeale gave up two solo home runs and a grand slam, which gave King College six runs. Junior Ben Young came on in relief during the fifth inning.
The game ended with another loss for Lions with the final score 7-0.
Third Game Against King
Monday afternoon the baseball team lost their third game, 7-3, against King College at home.
The game started with strong pitching from freshman Tyler Brown, but Young was brought in as relief in the fifth inning.
The game was close with some good hits from the team. Freshman Mason Kitzmiller hit a single, was able to make it to second and steal third base. Henn also recorded some solid hits, along with Hattrich.
The Lions fought through the game, but lost 7-3.
The next game is March 6 against Montreat College (Montreat, N.C.) at home.