Rain is once again playing havoc with spring sports at J.Z. George as only two official baseball games were played last week.
The Jaguars took on Charleston in a Region 3-3A contest on April 2, dropping a 10-9 eight-inning decision to the Tigers in North Carrollton.
The Jags, who are 1-4 in district, had the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the eighth frame. They had already scored two runs to pull within one at 10-9, but the Tigers recorded the last out to secure the win.
“We played a tough game last Tuesday night,” said J.Z. George head coach Will Rodgers. “We made some crucial errors in the top of the seventh and eighth innings, but our kids battled to the very end.”
Sophomore hurler Michael Bankston did his part to keep the Jags in the game as he went 6 2/3 innings, allowing six runs (all earned) on 13 hits, walking one and striking out 11. Kendrick Head pitched the final 1 1/3 innings, giving up four runs on five hits, walking two and fanning one. He suffered the loss on the mound.
Bankston also contributed at the plate with a 2-for-5 showing. He had a single, double, two RBIs and scored two runs. WilTavious Williams had a two-run homer, a single, three RBIs and scored one run, while Robby Clunan had a double.
Nathan Carpenter had a single and RBI, and Brandon McKenzie, Jacob Johnson and Head had a base hit each. Johnson walked three times and scored three runs, and Athan Shute had an RBI. Josh May scored a pair of runs.
In a game played April 1 in Lexington against Central Holmes, the Jaguars fell 15-5. Central Holmes jumped out to a 4-0 lead after one inning and tacked on nine runs in the second frame, and one run each in the third and fourth innings. The Jags scored a single run in the third and four in the fourth.
Johnson and Bankston had a single each for J.Z. George. Shute and Clunan had an RBI each, and Johnson, Clunan, McKenzie, Carpenter and Lance Mullen scored a run apiece.
Shute took the loss on the mound as he went three innings, allowing 14 runs on 11 hits, walking three and fanning one. Williams got two outs in the fourth but not before allowing one run on one hit, walking one.
The Jaguars were slated to visit Humphreys County Tuesday, and host Ruleville Central for a doubleheader Wednesday, weather permitting. They go to Amanda Elzy Friday. All four of those games are Region 3 contests. J.Z. George has a home game with Greenville Christian Saturday at 1 p.m.
