The BCHS Redskin Baseball team opened their season Friday night with a scrimmage game against Bradwell Institute and a ceremony that honored former BCHS coach Albert Lodge and retired the jersey of former BCHS baseball player Russell Williams.
The Redskins took the field to the cheers of a large hometown crowd. Former BCHS pitcher Russell Williams threw the first pitch of the game and pitcher Wesley Wilkes took over to quickly strike out the first two Bradwell batters. The third batter grounded out to second to end the top of the first inning. Senior Aaron Dudley, first at bat for BCHS, slammed a fly ball to right field that was dropped for the error. Dudley put Bryan County’s first run on the board as he took advantage of a passed ball to the Bradwell catcher. The first inning came to an end with BCHS up by one.
With Bradwell back at the plate, BCHS pitcher Wilkes once again started the inning by striking out the first batter. After the next batter grounded out to second, Bradwell put two runners on the bases with walks but Wilkes regained control and sent Bradwell back to the dugout by striking out the next batter. Bradwell continued to struggle at the plate and BCHS continued to dominate. After four successful innings, BCHS pitcher Wilkes was replaced by Senior Ricky Myrick who continued the Redskin assault. The game ended with a Redskin victory of 9-0 over the Bradwell Tigers.
BCHS Catcher Justin Covington caught all seven innings and "did a great job" according to Coach Al Butler. Coach Butler was quick to give credit for the win to the "outstanding job" of the BCHS pitchers. When asked about his team overall, Coach Butler said, "I would like to see our batters be a little more aggressive at the plate but the team played really well."
The Redskins then traveled to Glennville for their first season game Monday afternoon against Tattnall County. The Redskins plowed over Tattnall County with a 13-2 win in six innings. Senior Ricky Myrick pitched the entire game and was credited with the win. The Redskins’ bats were hot as runner after runner rounded the bases. Coach Butler’s hopes for a more aggressive offense was realized with a total of nine Redskin hits. Senior Aaron Dudley went 1-3 with a triple and Senior Ricky Myrick displayed his talents at the plate going 2-3 with a single and a double and 3 RBIs. Senior Trey Boatright followed close behind going 2-3 with 2 RBIs. Senior Wesley Wilkes went 1-4 with a triple. Sophomore Kurt Shuman went 1-2 and scored 2 RBIs while Sophomore Bryce Mingledorf went 1-4 with a single RBI. Senior Barry Spencer went 1-3.
Late in the top of the fourth inning with two outs on the board and the Redskins up by 3 runs, the BCHS pitcher Ricky Myrick came to bat and ripped a line drive up the middle to score which gave the Redskins the momentum they needed for the win.
Officials stopped the game shortly after the beginning of the sixth inning due to darkness, backtracking the official score to 7-2 which is how it stood at the end of the fifth inning.
The Redskins face McIntosh County at Redskin Field in Pembroke at 6 p.m. this evening with a Junior Varsity game to follow the Varsity game. Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3 the Redskins travel to Atlanta to face Meadowbrook and South Cobb County.