CLEVELAND, Tenn. — It took Bradley Central a little while to get going after celebrating Senior Night, but the Bears bounced back with crooked numbers in their final three at bats to get past Rhea County, Monday at the McKenzie Baseball Complex.
After recognizing the nine graduating seniors, Bradley fell into a 3-0 hole before clawing back to capture an 8-4 victory in what could very well be their only game with the old region rivals this season.
Now 19-7 on the season, the District 6-4A Bears will travel to county rival Walker Valley Friday before hosting McCallie on April 29 in the regular season finale.
Rhea County (3-20) will host Sweetwater Tuesday, got to Roane County Thursday and entertain Stone Memorial Friday.
After a pair of scoreless innings Monday evening, the Golden Eagles put together four hits for a trio of runs in the top of the third.
After Aiden McClendon opened the at bat by beating out an infield hit, and moving to second on a passed ball, Rex Pendergrass drove him home with a solid single to left field.
Pendergrass advanced to second a moment later on a wild pitch before Corydon Butler ripped a two-out triple into the right-center field gap.
Kade Houston followed with a cingle to center to plate the final run.
Bradley finally got the goose egg off the scoreboard when sophomore Tyler Cook knocked the first Bear hit of the night to open the bottom of the fourth.
Courtesy runner Jadon Griffey moved to second on a wild pitch.
After a base on balls to UTC football signee Luke Keith, junior Jaxon Humble dropped down a bunt to move the runners up a sack.
Junior Spane Bristol delivered a RBI-infield hit before he and Keith pulled off a double steal to plate the another score.
Rhea answered with a run in the top of the fifth when Pendergrass was "plunked" to open the bottom of the fourth. After being bunted up by Butler, he complete the circuit on a single by Massengill.
Bradley came right back to put up a 4-spot in the bottom of the frame when senior Teigan Cassada laced a one-out single, then moved up and scored on three straight walks to Lee University signee Alex Brew, Colby Stott, and Keith, which brought home the first run.
Humble followed with a two-run hit before the final run came on a sac fly by Bristol.
The Bears tacked on a pair of runs in the sixth Northwestern football signee Tito Williams drawing a free pass before Bryan College signee Josh Leek reached on an error. Williams came in to score on a wild pitch a moment later before Stott plated another with a ground out.
Four seniors combined on a six-hit pitching performance for the hosts with Brew throwing the first four frames, striking out eight and walking two.
Hunter Jordan came on for the fifth and gave up a hit and a run, but earned the victory.
Ethan Wilds and Cleveland State signee Brody Castell finished off the final half dopen Eagles in order with the all-time Bear save leader striking out the side in the ninth frame.
Game Summary
Senior Night
Friday, April 19
at McKenzie Baseball Complex
Rhea County 003 010 0 — 4 6 2
Bradley Central 000 242 x — 8 4 0
Love, Riley and Houston; Brew, Jordan (5), Wils (6), Casteel (70 and Cook, Stott (5).
WP: Hunter Jordan. LP: Levi Love. Records: Rhea County 3-20; Bradley Central 19-7.