Birds lose another close one at Anderson on Saturday evening. Nice pitching performance by JR Martin until the end when he may have tired approaching 100 pitches for 5.1 and a very good job by SR Vermeil to clean up in the bottom of the 6th and keep the game within reach.

 

Birds started strong with a 2B by JR Murray, but he was thrown out trying to steal 3B. SR Allen walked after fouling off 2 3-2 pitches. JR Whitford was HBP. JR Ramey ended the inning by grounding hard into a 5-4-3 DP.

 

Martin worked out of a jam in the B1. Walk followed by giving up 0-2 single. FC left 1st & 3rd with 1 out. Bouncer back to Martin and he made the right choice to go to 2B where Whitford turned the DP rather than checking the runner and getting a safe out.

 

Birds threatened again in the T3 with 1 out. Murray doubled again. Allen reached on a bunt single. 1B & 3B with 1 out. Whitford grounded hard into a 4-6-3 DP to end the inning.

 

In the 4th, JR Ramey led off with a single and JR Mills worked a walk. JR Ball laid down a sac bunt to provide 2B & 3B with 1 out. Martin singled to score Ramey & Mills.

 

Anderson rallied for 2 in the bottom of the 4th. Tough break for Martin on the 2nd run. Runner on 3B with 2 outs. Martin gets a K on a breaking ball in the dirt, but the ball goes to the fence and the runner scores when the throw to 1B is late.

 

In the 6th, Anderson led off with an 0-2 double (not a terrible pitch -- good piece of hitting). He was sac bunted to 3B. Walk, go to 2B on defensive indifference and another walk loads the bases. Another walk brings in the lead run. Vermeil came on to get a sac fly, walked a batter and then induced a popup to end the inning.

 

Defense was solid. Must convert on opportunities and avoid free passes against quality squads. Getting better every inning. We shall see. You have to believe that playing difficult opponents will pay off at the end of the season.

Who pitched for Anderson?

Who pitched for Anderson?

 

Sophomore Dylan Smith

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Blue and White could not finish the deal in Saturday’s non-region road contest.

The host Cincinnati Anderson Redskins scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to hand the Highlands Bluebirds baseball team a 4-2 defeat Saturday. The Bluebirds are 15-15 with the loss.

The Bluebirds outhit the Redskins, 6-5 but Anderson took advantage of eight walks to three for Highlands. Brady Murray went 2-for-4 with two doubles to lead the Bluebirds and Joseph Martin had both runs batted in.

Martin took the loss in the complete game for Highlands. He struck out one.

Highlands takes on Ryle on Monday. Game time is 5 p.m. at University of Cincinnati Medical Center Field.

 

Fort Thomas Sports: Anderson clips Highlands, 4-2