Bulldogs out in Districts

After a 2-1 loss to Empire and a 9-8 loss to Velma, the Wayne Bulldogs’ baseball season comes to an end.

They finish with a 16-10 record and will lose five seniors to graduation – Kaleb Madden, Rhett Kennedy, Lane Jones, Taylen Bryant and Colton Sweetman.

“Overall, I’m proud of the guys this season. They had a great attitude and learned a lot.

“It will definitely hurt to lose the seniors and we will have to find a way to replace them next year,” head coach Shane Collins said.

Several underclassmen got more experience this season, however. Collins mentioned Ben Fischer, Ty Kemp, Aiden Beck, Wyatt Webster and Braden McClendon as guys who have benefitted from playing time this season.

Empire

Both teams were scoreless until the 6th inning when Wayne scored their only run.

Empire scored two in the seventh to take the lead.

Wayne managed just three hits in the game from Kaleb Madden, Rhett Kennedy and Lane Jones.

Madden was on the mound for Wayne.

“Kaleb pitched well for us, but we just couldn’t get runs across for him,” Collins said.

He finished with three strike outs and a walk. He gave up two runs on 12 hits.

Velma-Alma

Velma jumped out on top, leading 6-2 after three innings. Wayne chipped away and tied it up 8-8 after a run scored in the top of the seventh inning.

But, Madden, with a hard hit, was aggressive on the base paths and got thrown out at home. That would have been the go-ahead run.

“That’s on me. I probably should not have sent him, but he’s gotten plays like that before,” Collins said.

Jaxon Dill was on the mound for Wayne for one and one-third innings. He allowed give runs on three hits and had one strikeout.

Braden McClendon came on in relief. He had three strikeouts and gave up four runs on nine hits.

“Braden came in and pretty much shut them down until the seventh inning. He pitched well for us and made some great plays,” Collins said.

Wayne finished the game with 11 hits. Madden led the team at the plate, going 3-4 with three hits and two RBIs. Kennedy and Dill each had two hits.