-
Senior Bradyn Ruais winds up for a throw at the home game played against the Robbinsville Black Knights on Monday, March 25. -
Senior Lawson Woodard swings at the game against the Black Knights – while the Devils lost that game 10-8, they’d also beaten the Cherokee Braves 19-0 earlier on Monday, March 25.
Larry Griffin
lgriffin@thesmokymountaintimes.com
The Maroon Devils baseball team took advantage of a rare sunny day on Monday, March 25 and played two back-to-back games at home. It resulted in a 16-0 win over the Cherokee Braves but then a 10-8 loss against the Robbinsville Black Knights.
The Cherokee game saw an impressive performance from pitcher Grady Lewis, according to Coach Mike Varano.
“He was very efficient with his pitch counts. He was able to throw a no hitter, which is a huge accomplishment at any level of baseball. Our defense played extremely well behind him, allowing him to achieve that accomplishment.”
Lewis was able to strike out nine batters – and, to boot, had a strong performance at the plate as well.
“He contributed with a monster grand slam, helping add to the success the rest of our lineup had. It was a great individual effort from Grady, but also an outstanding team effort overall. Very proud of them for that,” Varano wrote.
Senior Lawson Woodard led the team with three runs scored, while five other teammates all got two a piece: they were sophomore Corey Stillwell, senior Bradyn Ruais, freshman Jones Robinson, junior Rowan Ellis and sophomore Forrest Shuler.
Beyond that, freshman Will Holden, sophomore Noah Shuler and Lewis all got one run each.
Unfortunately, the team was unable to keep that energy going all the way going into their second game of the night.
Facing the Black Knights, the players all kept their eyes on the ball and were able to get in some solid hits. That game saw Holden and Woodard leading the pack in terms of hitting runs, as both of them got two a piece.
The game was well-paced and the hits started coming from the first inning, with both teams arcing the ball long and wide and forcing the outfielders to catch up. The teams were evenly matched throughout, but in the end, Robbinsville was able to come through.
Varano said the game turned out “disappointing.”
“Two polar opposite performances are never something that should happen,” he wrote.
The game against the Black Knights was a contrast as well to the earlier game, on Monday, March 11, the Devils played against them this season, which the Devils won 19-7.
“I think we expected the same thing just to happen for us,” Varano wrote. “We have to realize every game is completely different. We aren’t going to be handed anything. We have to go earn it. That’s what Robbinsville did. They played an outstanding game. They were able to capitalize on every opportunity we gave them, and every opportunity they earned.”
He said going forward, the team would work on taking advantage of the opportunities that come up during a game. “Our struggles are not due to ability at all, just getting better mentally. If we can do that, we will be a tough team to beat.”
Next, Devils won two back-to-back away games, defeating the Braves again 15-4 on Thursday, March 28, and then winning 7-4 over the Carolina Day Wildcats on Tuesday, April 2.
They were scheduled to play the Hayesville Yellow Jackets on Wednesday, April 3 after press time, and their next game is scheduled for tonight, Thursday, April 4, at home against the Rosman Tigers.