New Kent baseball drops district semifinal game to Grafton

New Kent’s Dillon Mickles hauls in a pop fly for an out.

Robb Johnson photo

Fighting injuries and a depleted line-up, New Kent found the obstacles too difficult to overcome in the May 16 Bay Rivers District tournament semifinal contest against the visiting Grafton Clippers.

The Trojans fell 7-5 to the visitors, thus putting them in a standstill until their regional playoff contest.

New Kent started the scoring early with two runs in the bottom of the first. But the home team’s lead shrunk to one as Jaxon Powell singled home Gavin Talbert for a run to cut the Trojans’ advantage in half (2-1).

New Kent added runs in the bottom of the second as Thomas Wilson beat out a throw to first base, allowing Carson Seely to cross home plate to return the two-run advantage to the Trojans. But that would be the last time the Trojans would lead in the game as in the top of the fourth, the Clippers rallied off six runs to take a 7-3 lead. Despite two additional runs in the game, New Kent couldn’t overcome Grafton’s big inning.

New Kent now awaits their opponent in the Group 3A Region A playoffs. The team is expected to host their opening round contest.