By Brooke Reynolds
Sports Writer
On Monday May 6 the Middle School Yellow Jackets traveled to Andrews to play a make-up game from earlier in the year. The Yellow Jackets took the win 14-13. The Jackets collected 20 hits, while Andrews Middle School had 12. The Yellow Jackets rallied for the victory despite trailing 6-1 in the second.
In the top of the fifth, the Jackets took over scoring eight runs on five hits to take a 11-8 lead. The biggest hit in the inning was a double by Micah Moss that drove in two. Caden McClure pitched four and two-thirds innings in relief for the Yellow Jackets. The reliever surrendered seven hits and five runs — four earned — while striking out four and walking none.
Moss opened the game for Hayesville Yellow Jackets. The right-handed pitcher surrendered one hit and six runs — two earned —over one and one-third innings, striking out two and walking four. The Jackets collected 20 hits in the game. Matthew Peck led the Jackets with four hits in five at bats. Moss and Camden Taylor each drove in two runs for the Yellow Jackets. Jack Bethel, Brady Gerdes, McClure, Rhett Sellers and Henry Wadsworth each collected multiple hits for the Jackets.
McClure collected three hits in four at bats as the Jackets defeated Hiwassee Dam/Ranger 10-3 on Thursday, May 8. This game was also a make-up game from earlier in the season. McClure singled in the first inning, singled in the fourth inning, and singled in the sixth inning. The Jackets won thanks in part to six runs in the fourth inning. Sellers singled, scoring one run, Moss singled, scoring one run, Peck singled, scoring two runs, McClure singled, scoring one run, and Gerdes grounded out, scoring one run. Bethel stepped on the bump first for the Jackets. The right-handed pitcher allowed one hit and one run — zero earned — over four innings, striking out one and walking three. Moss threw one inning of no-run ball for the Jackets in relief. The reliever surrendered zero hits, striking out two and walking two.
The Jackets collected 12 hits in the game. McClure and Moss each collected three hits for the Jackets. Peck, McClure and Taylor each drove in two runs. Sellers collected two hits in four at bats.
The HMS Jackets had a great season finishing 8-4. This team will be one to watch as they work together and improve every year.