BASEBALL: Tayt, Asher Evans power Trinity’s sweep of CGAA

The Trinity Crusaders returned from their spring break road trip for a two-game set with Central Georgia Arts last week.

They were able to beat the Mustangs 5-2 in eight innings in Tuesday, then run-ruled them 11-1 on Thursday.

Tuesday in Macon, the Crusaders took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first on an RBI single by Tayt Evans. Trinity had three hits in the inning but made two outs on the basepaths to quell the chance of a big inning.

CGA was able to knot the game in the second on a double, a sac bunt and a groundout to make it 1-1.

The Mustangs took the lead in the fourth as they got two runners in with an error and a single. The Crusaders turned a double play to prevent a big inning, but a run scored in the process to make it 2-1.

Asher Evans led off the sixth for the Crusaders with a single. Following a sac bunt, Carter Lee came through with an RBI single to make it 2-2. That score held to force extra innings. 

In the top of the eighth, Asher Evans would lead off with a double. Kolbi Grooms followed with a bunt single to put runners at the corners. Lee would give the Crusaders the lead with a sac fly to make the score 3-2. Tayt Evans came up next and blasted a two-run homer to center to make the score 5-2, and Trinity held on for the win.

Both Asher and Tayt Evans had three hits each to lead the offense. Grooms had a pair of hits, while Lee and Andrew Helton also hit safely.

Asher Evans pitched all eight innings to earn his fifth win of the season. He allowed seven hits and one earned run, while striking out six and not allowing a walk.

Isaiah Bloodworth took the loss for the Mustangs as he gave up all five runs in his 7 1/3 innings.

In the home matchup on Thursday, the game looked like it may be another pitcher’s duel early on. 

Trinity got on the board in the bottom of the second. Tayt Evans reached on a two-base error to lead off the frame. Brayden Underwood came up next and blasted a drive to deep center. Mustang center fielder Maddox Brooks made an incredible effort play just to get to the ball on the warning track. But just as he got a glove on it running full speed, he crashed into the fence, sending the ball over the wall for another two-run homer.

The Crusaders added to the lead in the third. An error, a Grooms bunt single and a single by Lee made it 3-0.

Anderson Bloodworth led off the fourth for the Mustangs with a liner to center that was misplayed into a triple. He would then score on a groundout to make it 3-1.

Trinity started to pull away in the home half of the fourth. Grooms helped his own cause with a two-out, two-run single to make it 5-1. Following another single by Lee, Tayt Evans came through with an RBI single to make it 6-1.

Underwood led off the fifth with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Pinch hitter Jake Johnson would drive him home with a singe to push the lead to 7-1.

After a Helton single and an error made it 8-1, Asher Evans delivered a two-run double to make it 10-1.  Following a Grooms walk, Lee came through with another RBI single to end the game at 11-1.

Lee and Helton had three hits apiece to lead the offense. Grooms and Underwood both had a pair of hits, while Asher Evans, Tayt Evans and Johnson also added one.

Grooms earned his fifth win of the season as he allowed just one hit in his five-inning complete game.  He struck out eight and didn’t walk a batter.

The Crusaders celebrated senior night following the win as they honored seniors Grooms, Lee, Jakob Sahli and Alston Bryan.

Trinity (now 12-6 overall) currently sits fourth in the GIAA power rankings. The Crusaders will return to action Tuesday at Vidalia Heritage, then host the Eagles on Thursday.