Telegraph Staff Writer
Keystone Heights High School whittled away at its deficit after falling behind 4-0, but the Indians eventually lost 4-3 to host Palatka in a March 25 baseball game.
The Indians (3-6) scored two runs in the fifth to make it a 4-2 game. Ashton Roach and Noah Branch hit back-to-back doubles to lead off the inning, with Roach scoring on Branch’s hit. Jeremy Miller and Connor Guy drew walks to load the bases. Dalton Hollingsworth then drew a walk to force a run in.
With two outs in the top of the seventh, Hollingsworth and Ryan Jones each singled. After Ty Glenn walked, Hollinsworth scored on a passed ball. A ground out to third ended the rally.
Hollingsworth went 2 for 3.
Gage Smith threw three innings of scoreless relief, giving up no hits.
Keystone entered the game off an 11-6 loss to visiting Santa Fe on March 23.
Santa Fe scored five runs in the first inning, taking advantage of four singles with two outs. The Raiders went up 7-0 after hitting a two-run homer in the top of the fifth.
Miller and Guy each drove in a run on a ground ball in the bottom of the fifth.
The Raiders went up 11-2 in the sixth, scoring four runs on two singles, a double, two walks and a wild pitch.
Keystone loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh. Alex Addington singled, followed by a Miller double. Guy then walked. After two straight strikeouts, Smith singled to drive in two runs. Chase Packham drive in another run on a double. Glenn was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Branch walked to force a run in before the game ended on a strikeout.
Packham went 2 for 4.
The Indians host Union County on Tuesday, March 29, at 7 p.m. and travel to play Baldwin on Wednesday, March 30, at 7 p.m. Keystone hosts Williston on Thursday, March 31, at 7 p.m. and travels to play Yulee on Monday, April 4, at 6:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, April 5, the Indians travel to play Williston at 7 p.m. Keystone returns home to play Orange Park on Wednesday, April 6, at 7 p.m.
