By Jeff Patrus
Sports Writer
Brandon’s varsity baseball team didn’t start the Flint Metro League season the way it had hoped.
The Blackhawks dropped both ends of a doubleheader against host Lapeer East April 11, losing the opener 11-5 and the nightcap 4-3. Brandon is now 2-2 overall and 0-2 in league action.
In the opener, Lapeer East exploded for six runs off Brandon starter Jeff Carroll. That ultimately proved to be all the runs the Eagles would need, although they added two runs in the third and sixth innings and one in the fifth for good measure.
Brandon tried to keep pace, scoring two runs in the first inning, one in the second, and two in the fourth, but the deficit was simply too much for the Blackhawks to overcome.
Andrew Spry, Andrew Harding, and Derek Foyt were all bright spots for the Brandon offense, with each going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Foyt added two stolen bases in a losing cause.
Things were a little tighter in the nightcap, as Foyt limited the Eagles to four runs on three hits while striking out three and walking four.
The Eagles did the bulk of their damage in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs. Brandon narrowed the deficit to 3-1 in the top of the fourth as Foyt scored for the Blackhawks.
Brandon made their big comeback in the top of the seventh, as Ray Reynolds started the inning with a walk, and was replaced by pinch-runner Tony Kraydich. Mark Butzu then singled to put runners at first and second with nobody out.
After Carroll struck out, Curtis Byers singled Kraydich home, then Andrew Hyde singled Butzu home to cut the Lapeer East lead to 4-3.
However, Spry hit into a fielder’s choice, and Harding lined out to center field to end the game.
Brandon started out the season on a happier note April 7, sweeping Kearsley 5-0 and 5-3.
The Blackhawks scored a run in the first inning of the opener to take a 1-0 lead before scoring three runs in the fourth inning.
That proved to be enough for Carroll, who picked up the win on the mound for Brandon, going five innings and allowing only one hit while striking out five and walking two. Foyt picked up the save in relief.
Harding went 2-for-3 for the Blackhawks and scored two runs, while Andrew Burch also went 2-for-3, scoring a run and driving in another. Hyde contributed a 2-for-4 effort for Brandon.
In the nightcap, which was called after five innings, Brandon scored two runs in the first inning and three more in the fourth to seal the win.
Harding went 2-for-3 while scoring a run and driving in another, while Reynolds also went 2-for-3.