Brandon’s baseball team knows they’ll have a chance to win when junior Roy Reynolds is pitching.
Beyond him, the Blackhawks have had their ups and downs on the mound this season.
That was evident again when the Blackhawks traveled to Lapeer East for a July 19 doubleheader. In the first game, Reynolds hurled a complete-game win, striking out 10, as the Blackhawks won 8-2. However, Lapeer East rallied to take the nightcap 7-2.
Brandon’s record is now 11-12 overall and 4-7 in Flint Metro League play.
In the opener, Joel Pappas paced the Brandon attack by going two-for-four with a triple and four RBI. Nick Emery added a solo home run, while Reynolds went one-for-three, driving in a run and scoring a run.
In the nightcap, Mitch Kusza went two-for-two with a double and a solo home run, while Emery contributed yet another solo home run.
Coach Ron Wagner said the youth of the pitching staff behind Reynolds has been a factor in the Blackhawks? up-and-down season.
‘Roy Reynolds has pitched an excellent season,? he said. ‘When we start getting down below Roy, we lack experience. I think the experience they (the younger pitchers) have obtained will be beneficial for them in the future.?
In a May 17 game against host Witamore Prescott, the Blackhawks were missing their seniors, since it was senior prom night at Brandon High School. As a result, the Blackhawks played five freshmen, two sophomores and two juniors in a 10-8 loss to Witamore Prescott.
Derek Foyt went two-for-three in the contest, while scoring a run and stealing another base (his 21st of the season), while Jacob Cinader went one-for-two with two RBI and scored two runs.
In addition, a couple of freshmen called up to the varsity for the May 17 game gave a good accounting of themselves, according to Wagner. Andrew Spry went one-for-two and scored a run, while Jeff Carroll went one-for-two, scoring two runs and driving in one.