FRUITVALE — The Miller Grove Hornets pulled off a resounding comeback victory Tuesday, outlasting the Fruitvale Bobcats 26-13 on the road. After trailing for the majority of the game, the Hornets mounted a comeback in the final inning, completing a huge comeback.
The Hornets would begin the game with a trio of runs in the top of the first inning. Mason Clements, Cage Hasten, and Drew Lester all scored, giving the Hornets a 3-0 lead. The Bobcats answered with four runs in the bottom of the first inning, pulling ahead 4-3.
The Bobcats would add on three more runs in the second inning, extending their lead to 7-3. The Hornets got on the board again in the top of the third inning when Kaden Hiller scored a run, trimming the score to 7-4. From there, the Bobcats added three more runs in the bottom of the third inning, bringing the score to 10-4.
The Bobcats continued to play well in the fourth inning, adding three more runs and increasing their lead to 13-4. The Hornets would then score a pair of runs in the fifth inning. Clements and Eastin Christian both scored, as the Hornets trimmed the score to 13-6.
In the sixth inning, the Hornets continued to fight back, adding on five more runs. Andrew Quintero, Clements, Christian, Hasten, and Ethan George all scored, as the Hornets cut the score to 13-11.
During the seventh inning, the Hornets went on a tear. Quintero began the scouring run with the first run, trimming the score to 13-12. From there, Clements and Christian both scored, giving the Hornets a 14-13 lead.
Hasten, George, and Lester were the next ones to score, as the Hornets extended their lead to 17-13. Hiller then scored the next run, bringing the score to 18-13.
Jesse Yates was the next Hornet to score, making the score 19-13. Jace Beck followed as the next scorer, raising the score to 20-13.
Quintero, Clements, and Christian would all score again soon after, raising the score to 23-13. Hasten would then come home for the next run, as the score now stood at 24-13.
George and Hiller then scored the final two runs of the inning, bringing the Hornets’ lead to 26-13 before their turn finally ended. The Hornets then held the Bobcats scoreless in the bottom of the seventh inning, capping off a 26-13 comeback win.
As a team, the Hornets batted 10 for 30 (.333) from the plate. Christian, George, and Yates led with two hits each, while Clements, Hasten, Hiller, and Quintero added one hit a piece.
Clements finished as the leading scorer with five runs. Right behind him were Christian and Hasten with four runs each.
George, Hiller, and Quintero all scored three runs each. Lester added two runs, while Beck and Yates scored one run each.
Yates started the game at pitcher. In 2/3 of an inning, he allowed four earned runs, four walks, and three hits, managing one strikeout.
Lester pitched 1 1/3 innings in relief, allowing three walks, three runs (two earned), and one hit, tallying two strikeouts. Clements won the game in the final five innings, striking out eight batters despite surrendering 11 hits, six earned runs, and six walks.
With the win, the Hornets improved to 2-15 on the season.