By Robin Privett
The Chester County Junior High School baseball team took to the McNairy field ready for a double header Tuesday night and knowing that being number one in the standings would be putting a target square on their back. Jaden Weaver started strong on the mound, and with the help of his strong defense, he held the McNairy Bobcats to a hit for hit stand off until the bottom of the fifth inning when the Bobcats scored the winning run and ended the game with a final score of 4-3.
Lane Estes led the team back on the field. He ignored the verbal disrespect being hurled toward them from the home bleachers because he, along with his teammates, knew that they were going to get a win and dedicated it to Chester County Independent editor, Kendall Patterson, who recently experienced the loss of a loved one. “Eagles” may have been written across their chest, but it was a lion that roared in their heart. The Eagles quickly earned a run, and the visitor stands erupted with joyous applause. By the end of the fifth inning, the teams were tied with a 1-1 score. Into extra innings, the Bobcats quickly made the score 3-1.
After getting three outs, the Eagles were called together for a quick encouragement from their pitcher, Estes. With A. Sanford being put on second as a courtesy runner, Weaver was the first to take the plate, and with a swing of his bat, the ball launched like a rocket to the centerfield fence Weaver took off around the bases as if the time-honored team reward of chicken nuggets were waiting for him back at the dugout. Ending up with a triple, the entire dugout and Eagle fans erupted in a thunderous cheer. The Eagles’ bats continued to be on fire. Then, Braylin Robinson stepped up to bat with a score of 3-3. Most players dread this pressure, but this young man thrives on it. With a solid hit, the winning run scored, and the Eagles’ dugout exploded onto the field.
The Eagles look to claim the championship title at the Best of The West tournament this week, Wednesday – Friday.
