Telegraph Staff Writer
Bradford High School’s baseball team managed to score five runs off just two hits, but it wasn’t enough in an 8-5 loss to visiting Orange Park on Feb. 25.
Orange Park scored four runs in the third inning, taking advantage of three errors, a hit batter and two walks. The Raiders increased their lead to 7-0 with a two-run fifth inning, which began with back-to-back doubles.
The Tornadoes (0-3) scored all of their runs in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Kacen Thomassen, Mattox Burgin and Jonathan Brugh walked to load the bases. Kevin Crawford drew a walk to force a run in, while another two scored on Carson Knight’s single to left field. Bradford scored its final two runs on an error.
Besides driving in two runs, Knight also pitched the final two innings, giving up one run on no hits and one walk. He had four strikeouts.
Bradford entered the game off a 14-0 loss to visiting Baker County on Feb. 22.
The Tornadoes had only two baserunners: Burgin and Trente Jenkins, who each walked. Baker pitchers Brady Chauncey and Eugene Houston combined to throw a no-hitter.
Baker scored 11 runs in the fifth inning, which saw Bradford pitchers give up nine walks — six with the bases loaded.
The Tornadoes travel to play Keystone Heights on Thursday, March 3, at 7 p.m. Bradford travels to play P.K. Yonge on Friday, March 4, at 7 p.m. before traveling to play Branford on Tuesday, March 8, at 7 p.m.
