The competition ramped up a bit for the Statesboro, which hosted top-ranked Wayne County Monday night at Mill Creek Regional Park.
The Blue Devils hung around — as they have quite a bit this year — but weren’t able to take advantage of scoring opportunities, and lost 5-1.
Statesboro had two runners on and one out in the third, but a double play ended the inning. Once again in the sixth, the Devils were unable to capitalize, as with the bases loaded and one out, a 1-2-3 double play ended the inning.
“We came out and played seven solid innings out here tonight, but I don’t feel like we came to fight,” said Statesboro coach Jim Simmons. “Our energy level was down, and I just didn’t feel we fought back. We didn’t have that edge that we had last week against Ware County.”
The first inning was a perfect example of how the year has gone for the Blue Devils. Blake Stanford singled to center, and then on a hit and run, Mikal Mascarello smoked a line drive to left that was snagged by Gant Starling. The Yellow Jacket left fielder fired to first, doubling up Stanford and ending the inning.
Wayne County started the scoring in the third, as David Moseley singled to center. Moseley advanced to third on two wild pitches, and then scored on a Brad Thomas single to left to make ot 1-0.
The Yellow Jackets continued in the third, as Thomas singled, then stole second, and came in to score on a double to left by Starling to make it 2-0. The Jackets added another run on a sacrifice fly by James Maudlin to take a 3-0 lead.
Wayne County added another run in the fourth, as with two outs Thomas singled to center. Thomas then stole second, and came in to score moments later on a single to center by Cooper Martin to make it 4-0.
The Yellow Jackets added their final run in the fifth. Blue Devil pitcher Cole Leggett relieved Rocket and loaded the bases. Ashton Bradley then came in and was able to get Moseley to fly out to center, but it was deep enough to plate Maudlin from third for a 5-0 lead. Bradley managed to get out of any further trouble getting another pop up to end the inning.
Statesboro avoided the shutout by scoring a run in the sixth. Blake Stanford reached on an error in left field, followed by Mascarello hitting into a fielders choice. Back to back walks to Rocket and Braden Mock would load the bases, and Jackson Proctor came through with an RBI single into right field.
Austin Arendes would then hit a hard shot to pitcher J.T. Crosby who fired home to Moseley to force the runner from third, Moseley then threw to first in time to get Arendes for out number three.
Wright Rocket pitched four innings, giving up nine hits and five earned runs with one walk and four strikeouts. The Statesboro relief crew of Leggett, Bradley and Ben Pope combined for three innings of no hit ball and one strikeout.
“I felt like Wright improved again on the mound, as this team can really hit,” Simmons said. “I also feel like our bullpen did their thing, and did a good job of damage control.”
Crosby pitched six innings for the Yellow Jackets allowing five hits and one unearned run, with three walks and five strikeouts.
“I’m confident we will get that fight back Wednesday when we head to Jesup,” Simmons said. “This team has been fighter all year, and I’m sure we will bounce back.”
Wayne County improves to 15-3 (4-0) on the season, while the Blue Devils fall to 2-17 (1-3). The two teams meet again Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Jesup.
