Bearcat Diamond Brilliance: Kremer’s Squad Shuts Down Monroe in 15-0 Victory
Published 2:14 pm Wednesday, March 5, 2025
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Coach Cody Kremer’s team shone brightly at Bearcat Diamond, dominating the Monroe Golden Tornadoes 15-0 in just three innings. Sophomore pitcher Preston Deal delivered a perfect performance over three innings, striking out six of the 11 batters he faced. In his last 10 innings on the mound, Deal has not allowed any earned runs, struck out nine batters, and conceded only three hits.
“One of Preston’s strengths is his mental composure,” Kremer said. “Today compared to the TCC game, he didn’t have his best stuff, but he’s a competitor, he’s going to battle, nothing rattles him, and he’s a guy we can count on day in and day out.”
Third baseman Parker Landrum scored the first run of the game by hitting a ground ball to second base that scored lead-off hitter No. 4 Jacob Barber in the bottom of the first inning.
Barber enjoyed an outstanding afternoon, going a perfect two-for-two at the plate, driving in three runs, and crossing the plate twice himself.
It wasn’t until the bottom of the third that the avalanche of runs started, in the spectacular 14-run inning, the Bearcats showcased exceptional offensive firepower, overwhelming their opponents with a barrage of hits, patience at the plate forcing seven walks, and elusive base running.
Barber hit a line drive single to left field that scored No. 13 Nate Cannon who hit a triple to center field and showcased his blazing speed. The Bearcats’ third run came courtesy of a wild pitch after a walk, a hit by pitch, and another walk.
Left fielder, No. 18 Luke Griffin scored on the wild pitch, and Landrum would proceed to score on a pass ball with two outs in the bottom of the third.
BHS’ two-out hitting and base running were evident, scoring 11 runs, catcher No. 34 Graham Beckham hammered a double through the in-field out to left field that would score Brooks Hines and Bowen Smith.
After Cannon was hit by a pitch, Barber hit a line drive single to right field that would score Cannon and Kennedy Washington, to make it 9-0. As a team, the Bearcats stole ten bases and were a home run from completing the cycle in the bottom of the third.
A walk from Griffin and cleanup hitter Amarion Donaldson would drive in a run(s) with the bases loaded to make it 11-0, a single by Hines that got through the infield scored Landrum and advanced Donaldson to third base. Hines used his awareness and speed to take second base after a throwing error by the Golden Tornadoes outfield.
Designated hitter Brennan Enfinger would then hit a ground ball and hustle to beat out the throw to first base, an infield throwing error would cause Donaldson and Hines to score to make it 14-0. Enfinger would take second base following the error, steal third, and on a wild pitch slide into home plate to end the game.
Barber, Griffin, Landrum, Donaldson, and Hines all scored at least twice. Barber and Beckham drove in multiple runs each for the Bearcats in victory, and Donaldson, Enfinger, and Barber had at least two stolen bases.
“Many of our mistakes right now are mental and a lack of focus,” Kremer said. “Every kid that is bought into this program, we’ll take two steps forward and one day take a step back, but the boys are determined to make things right, and it will require consistent focus each game. The mental side of baseball is more important than the physical stuff, and our mistakes aren’t physical.”
The Bearcats will be back on the diamond tomorrow hosting the Thomasville Bulldogs at 5:30 p.m. and will head to Dougherty County Friday, to take on the Golden Tornadoes beginning at 5:30 p.m.
