Small ball tactics reap New Kent’s success over Jamestown

By Robb Johnson | May 4, 2024 9:53 pm

Thomas Wilson displays control of the ball on the mound as he strikes out seven batters in Friday afternoon’s contest against Jamestown.

Robb Johnson photo

New Kent’s Trojans’ baseball team continued their winning ways, being pushed to their limit Friday afternoon against the visiting Jamestown Eagles.

Doing the small things that Head Coach Trevor Ronan has been looking for, the Trojans completed a season sweep of Jamestown 6-2.

The hosts got on the board in the bottom of the first with a single by Michael Hetzel. In the bottom of the second, two more runs added to the Trojans’ total after Carson Seely’s double.

After the Eagles were able to push a run across the plate in the top of the fourth, New Kent was able to respond with Seely’s third RBI in the contest. Jamestown, however, sliced the deficit in half (4-2) in the top of the fifth.

New Kent’s unselfish play showcased in the bottom of the fifth. Thomas Wilson’s single placed him on base, with Robert Gentry coming in as a pinch runner. Tyler Warren beat out a throw to first after his bunt and was followed by Dylan Bowman’s sacrifice fly to advance both runners. Hunter Jesse’s base hit drove home Gentry to up the lead to three (5-2).

In the top of the sixth, Wilson continued to display dominance on the mound. A strikeout to end the inning was one of seven on the night for the pitcher. Meanwhile, New Kent’s last run came after Lane Boyette’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning. From there, two strikeouts in the top of the seventh by Wilson would highlight the end of the contest and keep New Kent’s win streak at eight.

After the game, Ronan talked about his team’s strengths from the line-up to the bench.

“We have to keep working hard,” he commented. “We continue to get timeless hits.

“Everyone is playing and we continue to show what we have from one to nine in our lineup,” Ronan continued. “Our pitching continues to show and improve. It’s just about staying focused down the stretch.”

New Kent improves to 13-3 on the season.