New Kent’s offense shows up too late, fall for second consecutive game

New Kent's Carson Seely hones in on the ball for a spectacular outfield catch.

Robb Johnson photo

New Kent High School’s baseball team understands that defending a state title means they need to go out and challenge themselves. The Trojans elected to enter a three-game tournament in Mechanicsville over the Easter holiday weekend. After suffering their first loss to Caroline, New Kent experienced their second consecutive one, falling to Mechanicsville 7-5 Monday afternoon.

In the top of the fifth and leading 1-0, Mechanicsville added separation on the scoreboard as Gavin Smith hit a two-run homer over the right field fence, upping the Mustangs advantage to 3-0. Meanwhile, New Kent’s offense could figure out Mechanicsville pitcher Braxton Pope, who continued to keep the Trojans in check with strikeouts and forcing ground outs.

Pope exited the game, and New Kent too advantage in the bottom of the sixth inning. Tyer Warren’s RBI single put the Trojans on the scoreboard. After a pitching switch by the Mustangs, New Kent continued to take advantage, as Grayson Hobson’s connection drove in two runs to tie the game at three apiece.

After a scoreless seventh inning, the game went to extras where the cracks began to show for New Kent. Despite facing two outs, a mental error by the Trojans resulted in a balk, allowing Hayden Ways to move to third base for the Mustangs. Three consecutive walks by New Kent allowed Ways to stroll across home plate, returning the lead to Mechanicsville. After a pitching change, a walk by Ty Staub allowed another run for the Mustangs to cross the plate. Moments later, Nick Jones’ two-run single provided Mechanicsville a 7-3 lead before the Trojans were able to get off the diamond.

Trailing by four, New Kent was able to score after Warren’s base hit drove in Carson Seely. After Seely crossed home plate after a pair of walks that forced him home, Thomas Wilson’s bat connection resulted in a ground ball, leading to a double play and ending the contest.

After the game, New Kent Trojans Head Coach Trevor Ronan commented about his team not doing the small things correctly.

“We didn’t execute today,” he said. “We didn’t get the bunts down.

“We have to be a team and right now, it’s a bunch of ‘me’ guys and they need to do the right things for the team,” Ronan concluded.

New Kent falls to 4-2 on the season.