by Jamie Harris
The Berkeley Springs Indians baseball team battled through a tough stretch this past week, suffering three more losses that dropped their season record to 1-20. Despite some bright spots at the plate and on the mound, the Tribe continues to seek the breakthrough they need to turn their season around.
On Tuesday, April 22, the Indians hosted the Frankfort Falcons at Morgan Field. After a promising start, the game slipped away late as Frankfort scored nine runs in the sixth inning to break open what had been a close con- test. Berkeley Springs managed three hits in the 12-0 loss, with Kyle Rankin, Chase Stotler and Jalen Miller each collecting singles for the Tribe.
The following evening, Wednesday, April 23, the Indians traveled to Frostburg, Md., for a hard-fought battle with Mountain Ridge High School. In a marathon 10-inning thriller, the Indians fell just short in a 4-3 defeat.
Mountain Ridge struck first with a run in the bottom of the first, but Berkeley Springs answered back, tying the game in the fifth and taking a 2-1 lead in the sixth.
The Miners responded to even the score at 2-2, and both teams battled through three more scoreless innings. In the tenth, the Indians reclaimed the lead with a clutch run, but Mountain Ridge rallied for two runs in their half of the inning to walk off with the win.
The Indians outhit the Miners 7-6 in the loss. Leading the way was Kyle Rankin with two singles, a double and two runs scored. Kyle Moore added a single and an RBI, while Jaxon McClintock chipped in with a double and an RBI. Stotler and Miller also singled, and Shawn McCumbee reached base three times with walks and scored a run. On the mound, Moore delivered five strong innings, and Rankin and Caiden Groves each contributed two solid innings of relief.
Back at Morgan Field on Thursday, April 24, the Tribe faced another tough opponent in Musselman. The Apple- men, with their powerful offense, took a 20-2 win over the weary Indians. Highlights for Berkeley Springs included hits from Moore, Miller and Jayden Michael, who added a run scored.
On Friday, April 25, the Indians traveled to Fort Hill High School. However, heavy rains ended the game early, with Fort Hill leading 9-0 in the third inning. No makeup date has been announced.
Saturday’ s annual Ron Clatterbuck Tournament, a highlight on the Indians’ calendar, was also postponed due to continued rain and wet field conditions.
Berkeley Springs (1-20) now looks ahead to a busy upcoming schedule, hoping to regroup and finish the season strong.
Upcoming Schedule
Monday, April 28 against Keyser.
Wednesday, April 30 at home against Clarke County, 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 1 at Hampshire, 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 3 a double- header at home against Washington, 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.