BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Keystone Heights High School’s baseball team returned from spring break and kept its winning streak intact, defeating visiting Bradford 5-1 on March 19.
Ty Mitzel pitched a complete game for the Indians, who won their seventh straight game after their season-opening loss to Clay. Mitzel allowed three hits and three walks, while striking out six.
Keystone’s Alex Addington, who went 2 for 4, hit a single to lead off the bottom of the first. He was replaced by courtesy runner Tallon Campbell, who stole second and advanced to third on a Connor Guy ground ball. An error on the play allowed Guy to reach safely. After Austin Musgrove drew a walk to load the bases, Austin Smith hit a ground ball that scored Campbell, while the Tornadoes turned a double play, with second baseman Ryder Thompson, shortstop Ryland Rike and first baseman Mattox Burgin teaming up to get outs at second and first.
The Indians added another run in the bottom of the second. Aiden Screen drew a leadoff walk, stole second and advanced to third on Mitzel’s sacrifice bunt. He scored on Andru Siemer’s two-out single, putting Keystone up 2-0.
Bradford’s Patrick Pendarvis was hit by a pitch to lead off the top of the third. He stole second before Jaxson Carter was hit by a pitch. Jeffrey Brugh then ground into a fielder’s choice, with Pendarvis scoring to cut his team’s deficit to one.
Keystone answered in the bottom of the inning, which began with a double by Guy. Musgrove and Smith drew walks to load the bases before Guy scored on a passed ball. Bradford pitcher Cason Pilcher struck out three straight batters to end the inning.
Pilcher threw five innings, giving up three earned runs and five hits, while striking out eight.
Pendarvis pitched one scoreless inning for the Tornadoes, giving up no hits and striking out two.
Keystone’s Screen put the last two runs on the board in the fifth, driving an 0-1 pitch over the fence in left for a two-out home run that also scored Musgrove, who walked to lead off the inning.
