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By: Casey Roberts

Contributing Writer

 

The Lincoln County Patriots put together a complete performance on April 1, sweeping a doubleheader against Somerset Christian in convincing fashion. The Patriots combined sharp pitching, aggressive base running, and opportunistic offense to secure a 13-2 rout in Game 1 and followed it up with a 4-0 shutout in Game 2.

In the opening game, Lincoln County wasted no time getting on the board, taking advantage of multiple errors in the first inning to jump out to a commanding lead. A series of defensive miscues by Somerset Christian allowed four runs to cross the plate before Brennin Hazlett grounded out to score another, giving the Patriots a 5-0 edge by the end of the frame.

The second inning saw more of the same as Lincoln County scored five more runs despite managing just one hit in the inning. Tucker Foster’s RBI single highlighted the frame, while additional runs were plated through errors, a fielder’s choice, and a productive groundout from Jack Smith.

Trevor Vest added an RBI single in the third, and another run came across after Somerset Christian dropped a third strike. The Patriots showcased their aggressive baserunning all game long, racking up 14 total steals, including multiple swipes from Robbins, Hart, Ralston, Vest, and Foster.

On the mound, Hazlett got the start and tossed three innings, surrendering just two runs on two hits while striking out five. Grady Foster delivered a lockdown performance in relief, firing two hitless innings and punching out five to seal the 13-2 win.

Game 2 featured a tighter contest, but Lincoln County still found ways to pull ahead early and never looked back. The Patriots scored their first run on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Sawyer Robbins. In the third, a double from Hazlett and a single by Jackson Jenkins brought home two more, padding the lead.

Starting pitcher Caleb Carrier was dominant, tossing five no-hit innings with seven strikeouts and two walks. The Patriots’ defense was spotless, committing zero errors and getting key contributions in the field, particularly from Grady Foster, who led the team with seven plays.

Offensively, Jenkins and Tucker Foster led the way with two hits apiece, while Hazlett drove in two runs. Jack Smith contributed by drawing a pair of walks, as Lincoln County once again showed patience at the plate, tallying six walks overall. Somerset Christian was held hitless in the second game.

 

Sub-header: Patriot stats through 12 games

 

Sub-header: Hitting

• Tucker Foster – .385 AVG (26 AB, 10 H, 4 RBI, 3 SB)

• Parker Hart – .276 AVG (29 AB, 8 H, 2 RBI, 7 BB, 7 SB)

• Sawyer Robbins – .333 AVG (30 AB, 10 H, 11 RBI, 8 SB)

• Trevor Vest – .212 AVG (33 AB, 7 H, 2 RBI, 5 SB)

• Jackson Jenkins – .300 AVG (20 AB, 6 H, 2 RBI)

• Brennin Hazlett – .179 AVG (28 AB, 5 H, 4 RBI, 5 SB)

• Grady Foster – .148 AVG (27 AB, 4 H, 3 RBI, 4 SB)

• Jack Smith – .136 AVG (22 AB, 3 H, 2 RBI, 7 BB, 4 SB)

• Landon Smith – .136 AVG (22 AB, 3 H, 2 RBI, 4 SB)

Sub-header: Pitching:

• Tucker Foster – 11.1 IP, 13 H, 4 ER, 15 K, 2.47 ERA

• Trevor Vest – 13.0 IP, 22 H, 15 ER, 7 K, 8.62 ERA

• Caleb Carrier – 17.1 IP, 18 H, 10 ER, 10 K, 4.04 ERA

• Brennin Hazlett – 9.0 IP, 12 H, 11 ER, 11 K, 7.11 ERA

• Jackson Jenkins – 5.1 IP, 14 H, 13 ER, 4 K, 17.06 ERA