McCann Tech Overcomes Slow Start to Pound Mohawk Trail
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – The McCann Tech baseball team Wednesday needed just six hits to score 20 runs in a 20-3 win over Mohawk Trail that the visiting coach ended with the Hornets at bat in the top of the fourth.
Brodie Hayden doubled in a pair of runs to lead the offense, which took advantage of control problems for the visitors’ pitching staff.
Three different Mohawk Trail pitchers combined to surrender 12 walks, hit four batters and deliver 11 wild pitches.
On the other hand, Mohawk Trail pounded out four hits in the top of the first inning to take a 3-0 lead, a development that concerned Hornets coach Justin Howland.
“I’m not happy with the way we started this game,” he said. “We have a bad habit of coming not ready in the first inning. The last game we played, we went down to Franklin Tech, and we didn’t start until the third inning. Tonight, we give up three in the top of the first.
“Fortunately for us, this was a game where we could get away with that. But I just got done telling these guys, if we give them three in the top of the first on Friday, we’re done.”
The Hornets (3-1) entertain Mount Greylock (3-0) on Friday at Joe Wolfe Field.
McCann Tech pitcher Ty Barrett got an inning-ending strikeout to strand three runners in the first inning.
He then retired the next nine hitters he faced in order to finish the game..jpg)
“That was Ty’s first start of the year,” Howland said. “He hadn’t been on the mound yet, so he had some first game jitters today.
“We’re going to need him this year. Hopefully, he got the jitters out, and he can keep throwing in the zone. He’s a contact pitcher. He’s not going to be a Lucas Rylander that tries to overpower.”
Barrett struck out four but also did not have a ball hit out of the infield after the first inning.
“Lots of ground balls,” Howland said. “That’s all we’re looking for. Pound the zone. We’ve got a defense behind him.”
One big bright spot for the Hornets on Wednesday, besides Barrett’s pitching debut, was contributions from its bench.
“We got three JV players that got their patches today,” Howland said. “That was good. I got some kids that haven’t had a lot of playing time. I got them in the game, and they played a full game today.”