Airport’s Cash Epps threw 5-1/3 innings giving up one unearned run and three hits while striking out two batters. Photos by Mike Maddock
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Airport’s Cash Epps pitched 5-1/3 innings giving up one unearned run and three hits while striking out two batters. He also got help from his defense which turned three double plays in the Eagles’ 4-1 win over the South Florence Bruins Tuesday, May 20 in Game 1 of the 4A baseball Lower State Championship series.
“We pride ourselves on playing good D and pitchers throwing the ball over the plate and getting ground balls,” Airport head coach Casey Bradwell said. “It showed its head again tonight.”
Along with Cash’s performance, Hunter Epps came in during the sixth inning to close it out. He threw 1-2/3 innings giving up one hit and striking out one to earn the save.
“I love them,” Bradwell said of both Epps pitchers. “I love those two kids to death. They go compete. You know what you’re going to get every night. They are going to fill it up and throw strikes and give you a chance to win. I couldn’t ask for two better competitors. They’re great kids. There is so much we could say about them. They are really good.”
Airport’s Brayden Dunlap went 1-for-2 at the plate with an RBI.
Cash set the stage for a strong outing by retiring the South Florence side in order in the top of the first.
His defense chipped in during the top of the second. The Bruins’ Ben Tyner reached on an error and Jhordyn Johnson was hit by a pitch to put two on with one out. Epps forced a ground out and a strikeout to get out of the jam.
In the bottom of the inning, Epps got offensive support. Braden Gross drew a leadoff walk and Justin Sightler singled to left field to put two on with no outs. A sacrifice fly from Brayden Dunlap scored Chavis to put the Eagles ahead 1-0. Isahia Clemons then reached on an error and Ayden McCauley drew a walk to load the bases with two outs. Chavis would score on a wild pitch, but Clemons would be called out at home plate as Airport took a 2-0 lead.
The Eagles’ defense stepped up its performance in the top of the third. After South Florence’s Khalon McGee reached base on an error, Airport turned a chopper to Dunlap at second base into the first double play to end the top of the third.
Airport’s Braden Gross went 1-for-2 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored.
The Eagles’ offense struck again in the bottom of the third. Brice Gillette and Landon Jeffcoat each drew one-out walks. Gross then singled to left field, scoring two runs and increasing Airport’s lead to 4-0.
“We had a few hits, few knocks,” Bradwell said. “Guys competed and didn’t strike out. They put balls in play. It worked out for us. We screwed the pooch a little bit in the fourth, mostly my fault. We will correct that. We did a good job manufacturing some runs, and it was enough to hold up for us.”
South Florence tried to rally in the top of the fourth with singles from Tyner and Brayden Robinson. However, a second double play started by Dunlap quashed that threat.
The Bruins did get on the board in the top of the fifth when McGee sliced a double to right field scoring Chase Matthews.
However, that was as close as South Florence would get. The Bruins got one base runner on in the top of the sixth but didn’t do any damage. Then Airport ended the game with a third double play in the top of the seventh.
Gross and Dunlap led the way for the Eagles at the plate, each going 1-for-2 with an RBI. Gross also had a run scored.
Tuesday’s win is the sixth in a row for Airport, who improves to 24-6.
“They’re confident,” Bradwell said. “It’s a confident bunch. Young kids are growing up. We are starting to see some success. They believe in themselves. It’s been good.”
The Eagles can close out the best-of-three series Thursday, May 23 at South Florence in Game 2 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
“That’s a good ball club over there,” Bradwell said. “( South Florence head coach) Kenny (Gray) does a great job. That whole coaching staff is a great bunch. We’re going to have to go over there and throw strikes and compete and find a way to score a few runs. If we can do that, we’ll see where we are at in the end.”
The Bruins fall to 20-11.
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