Bears to take on top AAA team Friday
By Anne Marie Kyzer annemariek@thetruecitizen.com

Cody Bolden gets high fives from teammates after hitting a ball out in the Liberty County game. He hit another homerun the next day against Jenkins County. Staff - Anne Marie Kyzer

Burke County High School (6-4) is gearing up for what may be its biggest battle in region play.

They'll travel to South Effingham High School Friday to take on the Mustangs (8-4), who were ranked the best AAA team in the state as of last week.

"South Effingham is always a big game for us," coach Sean Tiernan said. "It will probably be one of the toughest games we play all year."

The Bears are hoping to improve their region record, which got off to a disappointing start against Liberty County High School last Friday.

The heartbreaker game ended with a 5-4 loss.

Burke County snatched up an early 4-0 lead and the night looked promising, but a couple of Panther homeruns put Liberty County back in the game. In the seventh inning, Liberty County took the lead by one, and Burke County wasn't able to retaliate.

"It was a rough game to say the least," Tiernan said. "We had a chance and we didn't put them away."

Starting pitcher Brandon Love (3-1) threw the team through six innings, tallying 14 strikeouts. He allowed 4 hits and 3 runs.

Trent Hillis (1-2-1) took over in the seventh and struck out 3 and allowed 2 runs and 2 hits.

Love and Hillis each gave up 2 walks.

Cody Bolden jumpstarted Burke County's effort at the plate when he sent one over the fence in the first inning and put two runs on the board.

Daniel Braswell and Zach Eubanks each had two doubles in the game and were 2-3 and 2-4, respectively. Charles Morris was 1-3 with a double.

The Bears regained their composure Saturday with a 12- 6 win over Jenkins County in a make-up game.

Starting pitcher Hillis threw for six innings and sent 8 batters back to the dugout with 3 strikes. He walked 2 and gave up 3 hits and 2 runs.

Bolden took over for the next two innings and tallied 1 strike out, 1 hit and 2 walks.

Eubanks took the mound to finish up the game and struck out 4 in the two innings he pitched. He gave up 2 walks, 4 hits and 4 runs.

The Bears took batting practice at the plate against Jenkins County, chalking up 16 hits.

Braswell was 3-4 in the game with a double and 3 RBIs.

Bolden hit his second homerun in as many days and also hit a double, going 2-3.

Cole Thames, Hillis and Morris were all 2-4. Eubanks was 2-5 with 4 RBIs, and Love was 2-5 with a double and 3 RBIs.

Earlier last week, Burke County lost a non-region game to Lakeside High School 9-3, and their match up against Thomson High School was re- scheduled for 5 p.m., April 7 at home.

The Bears played Hephzibah yesterday for their second region matchup of the season, but scores were not available at press time.
NEXT UP
 

BCHS vs. South Effingham
6 p.m., Friday, March 28
@South Effingham High
 

BCHS vs. Jefferson County
5 p.m., Monday, March 31
@ Jefferson County High