Yellow Jackets dominate Cherokee Braves

Mike Mauney is called safe at home for the Jackets as the ball scoots away.

(Photo by Brooke Leatherwood.)

By Travis Dockery

Editor

The Hayesville Yellow Jackets continued their winning ways on Tuesday, April 26th when they hosted Cherokee. Hayesville struck early and never looked back. Cherokee was forced to head home suffering a 16-0 mercy-rule loss.

Hayesville managed to score 16 unanswered runs on just 6 hits thanks to 7 errors committed by the Braves. Junior Cade Denton led the Jackets with a pair of hits which resulted in a team-high 4 RBIs. Freshman Mike Mauney drove in a pair of runs while Tate Roberts, Avery Leatherwood and Chance Hughes each had an RBI.

Denton, Dakota Matheson and Kendall Boyer all made it to first the hard way, thanks to being plunked by Cherokee pitching.

On the defensive side of things, the Yellow Jackets were flawless with no errors.

A total of three pitchers took the mound for Hayesville. Junior Braxton Cherry got the majority of time , throwing for 2 and 2/3 innings with one walk, six strikeouts and allowing one hit. Hughes toed the rubber for 1 and 1/3 innings giving up no hits, a walk and struck out one. Freshman Cade Curuso gave up a hit and struck out three in his inning of work.

With the win, Hayesville sits a half game behind Swain and Murphy who are tied for first place in the Smoky Mountain Conference. The standings are guaranteed to change Thursday, April 28 when the Jackets host Swain County at 4:30 p.m.