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Hornets season comes to end after tough loss

Hornets season comes to end after tough loss
  • PublishedMay 17, 2022


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The Miller Grove Hornets traveled to Lindale Friday, ready for a series-deciding Game Three against Union Hill. Moment was on Miller Grove’s side, after they picked up a 6-5 win in Game Two to keep the series and their playoff hopes alive.

Miller Grove was the road team for the rubber match and wasted no time finding their offense. Leadoff man Jagger Qualls was hit by a pitch to open things up and Jacob George followed by drawing a walk.

Landon Burnett was next and laid down a bunt, moving the runners over to second and third with just one out in the inning. The Hornets were able to take advantage of having the runners in the scoring position, bringing both runners in to take an early 2-0 lead.

Union Hill didn’t get down however, as they needed just two batters to plate their first run of the game on back-to-back singles. Another single later in the frame drove in another run, tying things up at 2-2. Union Hill went on to add another run in the bottom of the second, this time at the hands of an error, giving themselves their first lead of the game.

After going quiet for a bit, the Miller Grove offense woke back up in the top of the fourth, thanks to a leadoff single from Burnett. Burnett stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch before coming in to score on a sacrifice fly from Lexton Sly. 

With two outs in the frame, Bradley Nordin drew a walk, starting a two-out rally for his team. The inning was extended when Tanner Hensley reached on an error, before Kavan Smith hit an RBI single to left, putting the Hornets ahead 4-3.

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In the bottom of the fifth, Union Hill put together their best inning of the game, starting off with back-to-back singles. A one-out double later in the inning tied things up, before Union Hill could add two runs to their lead on a two-out single, going into the top of the sixth now leading 6-4.

Miller Grove tried to answer back in the top of the sixth, getting a pair of runners on thanks to a Riley Hasten walk and another single from Smith. Despite the pair of base runners, Miller Grove was unable to plate a run and would have to try again in the seventh.

The pitching looked great in the bottom of the sixth for the Hornets, as Jacob George struck out the final man he faced, before handing the ball over to Qualls. Qualls came in for the final two outs of the inning and struck each of them out.

Qualls was the leadoff man in the top of the seventh and thought he had reached base when he was hit by a pitch. Instead, the umpire ruled that he did not do enough to try to get out of the way and was forced to continue his at bat. Despite making good contact, the Hornets senior grounded out to short, making their one out in the inning.

Down to their final two outs, Miller Grove put together a bit of a rally, starting with a double from George. Burnett was followed by a hit by pitch and Sly reached on an error, loading the bases with still just one out and putting the potential tying run in scoring position.

Unfortunately for the Hornets, they were unable to plate another run. Hasten hit a bloop that almost got past the infield, instead the short stop was able to make a good play to get to the ball and double-up the runner on second, squeaking away with the 6-4 win.

The tough loss marks the end of the season for Miller Grove as they once again had a successful season. After making it to the Regional Finals a year ago, the Hornets season was cut short in the Regional Quarterfinals this year.

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Written By
Tyler Lennon

Tyler Lennon is the sports editor for Front Porch News and Chad’s Media. Previously with the Sulphur Springs News-Telegram, Lennon has now covered sports in Hopkins County for four years. He also covers the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers and has media credentials for both the Rangers and the Mavericks. On top of his writing, Lennon is also the lead play-by-play broadcaster for Chad’s Media. He has been the lead broadcaster for Sulphur Springs football, volleyball, basketball, softball, baseball and more. He is also the host of the sports talkshow Down & Out on Chad’s Media, along side Korey Hankins and Ryan Humphries. You can follow Down & Out on all social medias @Downandout903