GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Basic baseball is what Clay High baseball coach Josh Persinger said was the key to the Feb. 14 pre-season 7-3 win over Class 7A champion Nease High in the Clay High Preseason …
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GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Basic baseball is what Clay High baseball coach Josh Persinger said was the key to the Feb. 14 pre-season 7-3 win over Class 7A champion Nease High in the Clay High Preseason baseball classic.
“Better; not where I want to be just yet” said Persinger, after the tournament ending thriller. “Basics; Preach the basics, hit a lot, get them more looks with live pitching, work on our first and thirds, and our bunt defense.”
After a no-production inning and a half, Clay got going early with a run in the bottom of the second. In the third inning, three more runs, and in the fourth, another three scores. Even with a Nease rally in the top of the fifth, Clay handedly worked the defense and closed down the Panther attack. In the second, it was Conner Solomon taking the first pitch on his back, right between his shoulder blades. With only one out, Chase Holman followed up with a line drive single into left field to get Solomon to second. Dylan Faulkner was next with a shot to center field, moving everyone on the bases. When the cutoff throw went to the shortstop, Solomon saw an opening and made his way home for score number one, and the door was cracked open.
In the bottom of the third, Jacob Owens led off with a walk. On a wild pitch, Owens made his way to second and Clay had a runner in scoring position. Facing a 2-1 count, Kevin Jackson found his pitch and belted a left field line drive single, moving Owens to third. Nick Barrie hit a little shot to the Panther third baseman, only to have him commit an error and load up the bases for Clay. After a Tyler Spence strikeout, a passed ball got away from the Panther catcher that allowed Owens to score, and the other runners to advance. The Blue Devils were now up 2-0. Josh Lemon struck out to bring Conner Solomon back to bat. With two outs, Solomon hit to the Panther third baseman who committed another error, allowing Solomon to stay safe at first and scoring Kevin Jackson; 3-0 Clay. Seeing the issues at third, Chase Holman followed suite and hit down the line as well, getting the RBI when Nick Barrie crossed the plate for a 4-0 Clay lead.
“I believe when you taste it, it gets even harder the next year. As hard as we worked last year, to get where we were, now, if we only work that hard, we won’t make it.” said Persinger about his team’s early efforts and concentration. “I like things a certain way. Tonight’s early effort was awesome. They were focused and locked in.”
Dylan Faulkner started on the mound for the Blue Devils, lasted four innings, allowing one hit, no runs, striking out seven, and walking one. Faulkner was the winning pitcher as he gave up no runs on one hit over four innings, striking out seven and walking one. Out of the bullpen, Tyler Spence threw three innings in relief. The Blue Devils tallied nine hits on the evening from Dylan Faulkner, Chase Holman, and Kevin Jackson each with multiple hits. Faulkner went three hits in three at bats.
Clay opens regular season Tuesday night at Keystone Heights as they face the Indians. Keystone Heights is coming off twin double digit wins over Crescent City during their pre-season.