The Block Island School’s Junior Varsity Baseball Team played with grit and determination, but in the end were outmaneuvered by a crafty Wheeler School team, losing a 5-4 nail-biter on Friday, May 11 in Seekonk.
The struggling JV Hurricanes offense committed to turning a corner prior to the game, and did just that, scoring two runs right out of the gate in the first inning. Assistant Capt. Auggie Lambert led the charge, going 2-for-3, while collecting two RBIs in the game. Shortstop Sam Stockman (3-for-4 and a run scored), and centerfielder Hector Munoz (2-for-3 with two runs scored), were active at the plate and on the base paths.
Hurricanes’ Captain James Arnott struck out 13 batters for the second game in a row, while surrendering two hits. Arnott was the tough-luck victim once again of some sloppy play in the infield, which led to The Wheeler School boys taking the lead 4-2 in the third frame.
After some early foibles, the Hurricanes tightened up their defense, and chipped away at the lead. In the fifth inning, second baseman Ezrah Murray worked a walk, stole second and third, and then ran home on a wild pitch. In the sixth inning, Munoz got aboard on an error by the second baseman, stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball, and was knocked home by Lambert’s line drive single to right to tie the game.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Arnott struck out the first batter he faced, but walked the number two hitter, who stole second and third uncontested, and scored the winning run on a grounder to first baseman Fisher Johnston.
Despite the loss, the boys displayed some defensive skills, with third baseman Blaize Hatfield, Stockman, Murray, and Johnston flashing the gloves, including execution of a nifty rundown play.
The JV Hurricanes’ next game is home against The San Miguel School at Heinz Field on Thursday, May 24 at 12:30 p.m.