CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Runs were hard to come by Friday evening as Bradley Central opened the annual Trojan Classic with narrow victory over sixth-ranked (DII-A) Silverdale Baptist Academy, at the McKenzie Baseball Complex.
The pitchers gave up just one earned run in the 2-1 outcome to push the Bears' month-long winning streak to 15 straight outings.
Bradley (17-6) was turning around to host Wilson Central later Friday evening, before facing Shelbyville in a rematch of last year's Region 3 semifinal Saturday afternoon at 1:45.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks (19-8), who opened the event with a 6-2 loss at host Soddy-Daisy Thursday evening, will wrap up their participation against Green Hill Saturday at 12:45 at Rhea County High School.
Taking advantage of the first of two SBA miscues, the Bears put a run on the board in the bottom of the first when Lee University signee Alex Brew reached, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch before scoring on the other Seahawk error.
After going down quietly in the first three frames, Silverdale got its goose egg off the scoreboard in the fourth, likewise taking advantage of a Bear miscue on a ball hit by Tanner Bayne.
Owen Phillips followed with a double down the right field line to put two runners in scoring position.
A sac fly by Maddox Jones brought the run in.
Bradley wasted no time answering in the bottom of the frame when junior DH Spane Bristol blasted a one-out shot over the left field fence for what turned out to be the game-winning run.
Colby Stott stroked a double just inside the third base line for the hosts, while Cleveland State signee Hank Adams and classmate Teigan Cassada both knocked one-base hits as the Bears left four "ducks on the pond."
Bayne, Caleb Voss and Jacob Shelton each singled for the visitors, who stranded five base runners.
The Bear pitching duo of senior Hunter Jordan and junior Jonathan Alomar threw a combined four-hitter. Jordan went the first four innings, striking out three and walking just one for the win, while Alomar tossed three shutout frames for the save.
Maddux Hasty went the distance for Silverdale, striking out just two and giving up five hits, but no free passes.
Game Summary
Trojan Classic
Friday, April 19
at McKenzie Baseball Complex
Silverdale 000 100 0 — 1 4 2
Bradley Central 100 100 x — 2 5 1
Hasty and Reagan; Jordan, Alomar (5) and Cook, Stott (4).
WP: Hunter Jordan. LP: Maddux Hasty. Save: Jonathan Alomar.
Records: Silverdale 19-8; Bradley Central 17-6.