By Ray Conner
Kern Valley’s jayvee baseball team opened their year in Shafter.
The Broncs took on two schools in pool play before advancing into bracket play. They would split pool play losing 6-2 and winning 12-2.
They began the tournament against Highland. Kern Valley took the early lead as they plated a pair of runs in their first at bat. The Scots answered in their half of the first by scoring three runs. They would add three more in the bottom of the second to secure the victory. The Broncs after early success were unable to produce any more runs.
Leading the way for Kern Valley was Andrew Barton with a single and two stolen bases. Jackson Price and Owinn Liske each scored a run. Price swiped a pair of bags, while Liske had one steal.
Kern Valley head coach, Wayne Moore said, “First game of the season. Kern Valley struggled with the bats and throwing strikes.”
Game two the Broncs squared up with North. The bats came alive as they delivered eight hits to score 12 runs. Kern Valley pitching shut down the Stars as they allowed just a pair of runs in the game. The final score favored the Broncs as they took the game 12-2.
Price led the offense with three hits, scoring twice, a pair of steals, and one RBI. Shilo Galvon drilled a double and a single to drive in a pair of runs. He would cross the plate twice. Barton, Maddox Beaury, and Cameron Barrett each had one hit in the game. Barrett knocked in a pair of runs, while Barton and M. Beaury each had one RBI. Wyatt Blagg, Blake Embry, and Carter Beaury each scored one run in the contest.
Kern Valley advanced to bracket play and took on Bakersfield Christian. The back-and-forth game came down to the final inning. Unfortunately, the Eagles capped the win with a run in their last at bat to walk off the game. The 9-8 loss ended Kern Valley’s tournament and put them 1-2 on the year. Five unearned runs led to the unfavorable result as the defense came up short.
Kern Valley took advantage of BCHS wildness from their pitchers. Collecting numerous walks aided the cause. Five free passes to go along with a pair of hits, including a double led the offense. M. Beaury collected the double, while Embry had a single. Embry was credited with an RBI. Helping to keep the game close was the aggressive base running from the Broncs. Kern Valley swiped six bases in the game. M. Beaury collected three steals, while Price swiped a pair of bags. Completing the thefts was Evan Brooks with one steal.
Moore commented, “Kern Valley stayed in the game with aggressive baserunning and good pitching. Unfortunately, the defense wasn’t up to par, giving up five unearned runs. This was a heart-breaking loss to one of the baseball powers in Bakersfield. The underdog did not pull it off this time.”
The Broncs will now play tomorrow as they travel to square off with the Cougars of McFarland.
