Telegraph Staff Writer
Bradford High School’s baseball team let a one-run lead slip away as host Yulee scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth to defeat the Tornadoes 4-3 in the regular-season opener for both teams on Feb. 21.
The Tornadoes took a 2-0 lead in the second. Kevin Crawford hit a leadoff double and later scored on a balk, while Luke Stucky hit a single that scored Mattox Burgin, who reached on a fielder’s choice.
Yulee answered with two runs of its own in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases on an error and two singles before pushing two across on a two-out hit.
Burgin put Bradford back on top in the fourth. After reaching on a single, he scored when the Hornets committed an error on a ground ball hit by Hayden Hughes.
The Hornets loaded the bases in the fifth on a walk, a hit batter and a single. Another single scored the tying and eventual winning runs.
Starting pitcher Cason Pilcher gave up two runs on three hits and no walks through four innings. He struck out six.
Bradford hosts Baker County tonight at 7 p.m. and will host Orange Park on Friday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. On Monday, Feb. 28, the Tornadoes host Ridgeview at 7 p.m.
