BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Aiden Screen hit a two-run single as part of a three-run fifth inning that proved to be the difference as the Keystone Heights High School baseball team defeated visiting Bradford 7-4 on April 4.
Keystone starting pitcher Austin Musgrove gave up three runs (two earned) through five innings, allowing seven hits and striking out eight.
Bradford took the early lead, scoring two runs in the top of the first. Ryland Rike and Mattox Burgin hit back-to-back singles to start the inning. Both scored on a Foster Smith double.
The Indians scored two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Musgrove reached on an error. With two outs, Ryan Jones was hit by a pitch, while Noah Branch drew a walk to load the bases. Runs scored when Andrew Wilson walked and when Gage Smith was hit by a pitch.
Kevin Crawford hit a double to lead off the Tornadoes’ half of the fourth. Rike singled and both runners were in scoring position after a Burgin sacrifice bunt. With two outs, Luke Stucky hit a ground ball and reached on an error, allowing a run to score, putting Bradford up 3-2.
Keystone took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth. Screen drew a one-out walk. With two outs, he stole second before scoring on a Musgrove single. Musgrove then scored on a Connor Guy triple to put the Indians ahead 4-3.
In the bottom of the fifth, Keystone had the bases loaded, setting the stage for Screen’s two-run single. A run scored on an error as well.
Jones pitched a no-hitter through the final two innings for the Indians, though Bradford did push a run across in the seventh. With two outs, Kacen Thomassen walked. After stealing second, he scored on a Cason Pilcher single.
A ground out to Musgrove, who was then playing at third base, ended the game.
The Tornadoes had the only batters with multiple hits, as Pilcher and Rike went 2 for 2 and 2 for 4, respectively.
Starting pitcher Pilcher gave up seven runs (three earned) through five innings, allowing five hits and striking out three.
Burgin pitched the final inning for Bradford, giving up no hits.
