Traveling over fifty miles to Lancaster – on a day that started as a rain out, but was abruptly rescheduled two hours before game time, the Crossroads Roadrunners played a tough Paraclete High School Spirits losing 5-2.
Despite a tough first inning where he gave up two runs, Sophomore pitcher Brandon Scott went five innings giving up just one more run the rest of the way. It was 3-2 going into the sixth inning and senior pitcher, Max Robinson gave up two more runs to put the Spirits in front to stay.
“We really played well against a team that hadn’t lost this year and if not for the first inning and some key base running mistakes we could have beat this team,” said Coach Spencer Kirksey.
It was in the Roadrunners’ half of the fifth inning when Brandon Scott singled and mistakenly thought he had been given the steal sign got thrown out easily at second base. The next hitter, freshman Eli Rosenblatt, singled. Then on a hit-and-run play, senior Andres Levya hit a slow roller that he would have beat to first if Rosenblatt hadn’t got tagged out on his way to third to end the inning.
“It’s our lack of experience that beat us today,” said Coach Kirksey. “Not understanding the situation and making game changing mistakes… We had them on the ropes except our mental mistakes was the difference today. We beat ourselves.”
Senior Perry Levine had the big hit for the Roadrunners. After sitting out the last three games because of a sore back, he was cleared to play and made his presence felt right away. He came up in the first inning with the bases loaded and delivered by belting a single that scored two runs and tied the score at two.
It was a good showing for the Roadrunners against a strong Paraclete High team. They continue their year on Thursday, March 24, against the Brentwood High Eagles at Brentwood at 4 p.m.
