WHEATLAND - Macks Creek took to the road for their first official road game of the Fall 2020 campaign and fell short to the Wheatland Mules by the score of 3-0.
Wheatland plated a run in the first and then two more in the third to round out the scoring on the night.
Macks Creek was retired in order in the first and second inning but put some pressure on in the third. With one out Sophomore Ethan English walked and Freshman Dakota Willis collected his first career Varsity hit to put runners at first and second. Senior Grant English hit a ground ball back to the pitcher, who threw to second to erase Willis, but Grant beat the throw to first. A strikeout ended the threat.
In the fourth Macks Creek had a runner reach when Senior Tanner Smith singled to right, but he was erased on a strike-em-out, thrown-em-out in the next hitter. In the sixth the Pirates looked to put more pressure on when Grant again reached, this time on an error by the third baseman, and Senior Keith Edelman drew a walk. Back-to-back strikeouts ended the threat. The seventh saw the Pirates go 1-2-3 and end the game.
"Offensively we struggled a bit to put the ball in play and took way too many pitches and chased too many others," commented Head Coach Jason Trusty, "but, I talked with the guys and we were able to work in some better at bats here and there as the game moved on."
"We are slowly progressing and will take each game one-at-a-time."
Tanner Smith (0-2) started and took the loss. He worked the first two-and-two-thirds innings, allowing three runs, none earned, on four hits while striking out three and walking six. Grant English relieved and worked the final three-and-a-third innings, striking out seven and walking none.
Offensively Tanner and Dakota Willis each singled for the only two hits. Grant English reached base on a fielder's choice and an error, and Keith Edelman and Ethan English each walked.
Macks Creek falls to 0-3 with the loss.
The JV Pirates suffered a 7-0 setback in the JV game.
Austin Brown started on the hill and was saddled with the loss. He allowed six runs on three hits while striking out four and walking five. Keith Edelman relieved in the second and allowed one run on two hits while striking out one and walking one.
Olivier Sanchez and Dakota Willis each singled in the contest, Kyler Gabriel was hit-by-a-pitch while Hunter Harris and Preston Borgmeyer each walked.
The JV Pirates now sit at 0-3 on the season.