BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Baker County pitchers Tucker Kennedy and Lucas Davis combined to throw a no-hitter as the host Bradford High School baseball team lost 2-0 on March 30.
The Tornadoes (6-8) had solid pitching of their own. Starter Mattox Burgin gave up two runs on four hits and two walks through five innings. Cason Pilcher, in two innings of relief, allowed one hit and no walks, while striking out three.
Bradford entered the game off its fifth win in six games, defeating host Fort White 6-5 on March 29.
The Tornadoes scored the game’s first runs in the fourth inning. They loaded the bases on a Matthew Stafford walk and singles by Kevin Crawford and Ryder Thompson. Ryland Rike drew a bases-loaded walk, followed by an RBI single hit by Pilcher. Luke Stucky then drove another two runs in on a single, putting Bradford ahead 4-0.
Bradford led 6-1 after scoring two runs in the fifth. Crawford, who went 2 for 4, had an RBI double, while Thompson, who reached on a fielder’s choice, advanced around the base paths and scored what would eventually prove to be the winning run on a series of wild pitches.
Stafford earned the win, giving up nine hits and two walks through 6.1 innings. Blake Wynn had the save, recording the final two outs.
The Tornadoes played Keystone Heights this past Tuesday (April 4) and will host Fort White on Thursday, April 6, at 6 p.m. Bradford then hosts Suwannee on Tuesday, April 11, at 7 p.m.
