Offense finds its rhythm as Cards rout back-to-back opponents
Published 1:04 pm Friday, May 5, 2023
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During a rough five-game stretch that saw the team lose four games in which they scored just as many runs, George Rogers Clark High School’s baseball team knew their fortunes had to change.
They found the offense they had been looking for during a recent stretch of games.
The Cards (18-10) went on a three-game winning streak, including outsourcing two opponents by a combined 31-2 score, to improve their season record.
Although they fell just short in a 6-5 loss to Mercer County on Wednesday night, the victories showed progress.
“We’re starting to play a little better,” said GRC Head Coach Chris Varney. “There’s some joy when playing, and that makes a big difference.”
The joy started on Thursday, April 27, when the Cards took down Fleming County by a 5-3 score.
Not only did it end a three-game losing streak, but the victory also marked the first time a Cardinal has hit a home run this season when the University of Louisville verbal commit Brady Davis —who finished with two RBIs as well as a pair of stolen bases—delivered.
One night later, against the Cardinals of Martin County, Davis would start a seven-run first inning with a leadoff walk en route to another two-RBI night.
Davis went to the plate four times in the 15-1, five-inning victory and reached base on all four opportunities.
“[I] try to get started early, get on the board really quick, put pressure on pitchers and try to uplift this team a lot,” he said. “We’ve had a lot more [energy]. Everybody’s pickup everybody. It’s just exciting to play.”
As might be expected in a 15-run night, Davis was far from the only player to shine offensively.
Starting at third base, Abe Mullins also delivered two hits with a pair of RBIs, while Abrahm Howard’s three RBIs included the game’s first on a triple.
All nine starters found their way on base for the Cards, with seven delivering hits.
Starting pitcher Keyonte Back delivered six strikeouts while only allowing a pair of hits over two innings, while Devlin Gray finished the game with two scoreless innings and three strikeouts.
“[The] pitching’s there,” Davis added. “Once we get the bat on the ball, I think we’ll be up there with the top teams in the region.”
On Tuesday, taking on Paris in Bourbon County, the Cards’ offense showed no signs of slowing down.
In a three-inning contest, the Cards went home with a 16-1 victory.
Doubling the number of home runs the Cards hit up to this point of the season, Alice Lloyd commit Jake Sears had a high-profile day by hitting two homers and finishing with six RBIs.
Not only were his six runs batted in a game-high, but they equaled the most of any Cards player in a single game thus far this season.
“When you can score runs, it makes the game a lot easier,” Varney said. “It’s just sort of a domino effect where it takes the pressure off the next guy. It’s contagious, so hopefully we just keep going.”
Abe Mullins continued to shine offensively with three RBIs, while Ben Fulks led the Cards with just as many hits.
Mullins also struck out three Greyhound batters, while Caden Spicer —typically the team’s first baseman—struck out the side in his one inning of pitching.