Brooke Leatherwood • Photo submitted Cade Denton acknowledges his teammates as he stands on first base following a hit.
Hayesville’s Yellow Jacket baseball team is hotter than the rising summer-like temperatures settling in on Clay County. On Thursday, May 27, Jacket Nation entered the new baseball facility to watch their team battle Cherokee for the first games played at the Yellow Jackets’ new hive. Hayesville opened their new park in style, downing the Braves 8-0 and 11-0 in the double-header event.
In game one, Jeremy Stewart was lights out for the Jackets on the mound. In five innings, Stewart allowed 0 runs, no hits, no walks and struck out 10 Cherokee batters.
At the plate, Hayesville used seven hits to plate 8 runs in the shutout win. Sophomore Cade Denton was perfect in the batter’s box with a pair of hits for two RBIs. Kyle Lunsford’s patience at the plate earned the sophomore two walks and slugger Connor Bradley showed off his speed with a stolen base.
Momentum stayed with the Yellow Jackets in game two to the delight of the sizable crowd. Once again, Hayesville’s pitching was fantastic, this time thanks to the arm of Clayton Vandiver. The senior had five innings on the mound, allowing 0 runs, one hit, no walks and rung up four batters with strikeouts.
Vandiver was also a beast at the plate in the game as he went 2-4 with a pair of doubles, 3 RBIs and scoring twice. Avery Leatherwood used his bat to create chaos for the Braves. The sophomore had two hits with 2 RBIs, scored 2 runs and drew a walk in Hayesville’s 11-0 victory.
The 10-0, number two ranked Yellow Jackets will host rival Murphy at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 8.