Winning the first game of a three-game series is crucial. It gives the winning team a little breathing room and the opportunity to relax a little bit as the series continues.
The CCA Patriots ought to sleep pretty well the next two nights.
The Patriots defeated the Thomas Jefferson Academy Jaguars 9-1 in the second round of the GIAA state baseball playoffs Thursday afternoon at Patriot Field in Douglas. Senior Jonathan Rutland went six innings, giving up one run on four hits while striking out 12 and walking two. He also helped his own cause with a 2-2 day at the plate that included a two-run home run that broke a 1-1 tie early in the game.
In the bottom of the first, Gray McLean scored on a fielder’s choice by Skyler Woods. The Jaguars tied the game in the top of the third on an RBI single by Grant Gillooly. CCA broke the game open in the fourth with five runs. Rutland started the barrage with his two-run homer. Thomas Gentry drove in Luke Russ and Landon Williams with a two-out double. Blake Bryant followed with a fly ball to left that should have been caught. The left fielder lost the ball in the sun which allowed Gentry to score and Bryant to trot safely into second. When the inning ended, the Patriots were up 6-1.
In the sixth, Russ and Williams walked. McLean grounded out to second but Russ was able to score on the play. Williams advanced to third. Gentry singled to left, scoring Williams. After a Bryant double moved Gentry to third, Woods grounded out but Gentry was able to score on the play to give CCA a very comfortable 9-1 lead. The Jaguars went 1-2-3 in the seventh to end the game.
Gentry was 2-3 with a double, two runs scored, and three RBI. Woods had two RBI. Williams and Russ scored twice. Lefty Clay Phillips threw a perfect inning in relief to close things out.
The two teams will take a day off due to TJA’s Friday graduation ceremony. Then they will resume play Saturday at noon at Patriot Field. If necessary, a third game will be played about 20 minutes after game two ends.