Telegraph Staff Writer
Bradford High School’s baseball team came close to getting its first win, but host Branford scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings in a game that eventually ended in an 8-8 tie after 11 innings on March 8.
The Tornadoes (0-5-1) scored the game’s first two runs on a C.J. McKinney double. McKinney later hit a run-scoring single as part of a three-run fifth that put Bradford ahead 5-1. Dalton Griffis hit a run-scoring double as part of that inning, which also saw Mattox Burgin walk and later score on a passed ball.
It was 5-2 entering the bottom of the seventh. A batter that was hit by a pitch would score on a single, while Branford also scored runs on an error and a bases-loaded walk to tie it up at 5-5.
Bradford scored three runs in the ninth. Carson Knight drew a walk, followed by Jonathan Brugh reaching on an error. Burgin walked to load the bases before Foster Smith was hit by a pitch, forcing a run in. The Tornadoes then scored two runs when the Bucs committed an error on a ground ball hit by Griffis.
The Bucs answered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the ninth, scoring two runs on passed balls and another on a single.
McKinney finished 3 for 6, while Smith went 2 for 4.
Bradford is scheduled to play at Union County tonight at 6:30 p.m. and will host Fort White on Thursday, March 17, at 6 p.m. The Tornadoes host Hamilton County on Wednesday, March 23, at 6 p.m.
