Hayesville’s varsity baseball team hit the diamond last week in pursuit of a Smoky Mountain Conference title. The team had one game last year before COVID-19 shut down sports. This season’s schedule was also re-worked so the Jackets can play their home games on their new field. In order to give construction crews the time needed, Hayesville’s schedule is away-game heavy to start the season and will feature a seven-game home stand.
That schedule saw the Jackets head to Rosman Tuesday, April 24 to face the Tigers. Hayesville took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first and never looked back. Rosman managed to plate a run in the bottom of the sixth, but that was the extent of their rally, giving the Jackets an 8-1 win.
Connor Bradley was almost unstoppable, going 4-5 with two doubles and a homerun with 4 RBIs and scored three times. Sophomore Avery Leatherwood had a strong opening game at the plate. Leatherwood went 3-4 with a double and 2 RBIs. Starting pitcher Jeremy Stewart went six innings, giving up just one hit, walking three and striking out eight.
In Andrews on Friday, April 30, Hayesville’s offense was a monster the Wildcats could not contain. The Jackets totalled 19 hits in 41 at bats which led to an astonishing 23 runs. Andrews managed to push 10 runs across home plate, but the Jackets were too much and improved their record to 2-0 with the 23-10 victory.
Stewart was a standout at the plate with three hits, 4 RBIs, a homerun and 5 runs scored. Sophomore Braxton Cherry used brought in 4 runs on two hits and scored three times.
Cherry teamed up with Eli Roberts on the mound in the win. Roberts had four strikeouts in four innings while Cherry sent three batters to the dugout in two innings.
Next up for the Jackets is a 4:30 p.m. road game in Swain County Friday, May 7 followed by another 4:30 p.m. contest in Hiwassee Dam on Tuesday, May 11.