Early extended their losing streak to three on Friday, dropping them down to 10-10. They were a single run away from ending the streak, but they lost a 4-3 heartbreaker at the hands of the Jasper Eagles. The Panthers were given a dose of their own medicine in this game as the Eagles apparently hadn't forgotten their loss the last time these teams played back in April of 2023.
Cash Graves put in work while hitting and pitching. He looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over five innings while giving up just two earned (and two unearned) runs off four hits. What's more, he gave up only two walks, the fewest he's had since back in April. He was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBI, one run, and one double.
Graves wasn't the only one making solid contact as five players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Lucas Cutler, who went 1-for-3 with one stolen base and one RBI.
As for Jasper, the win made it two in a row for them and bumps their season record up to 10-7. That's two games straight that they have won by just one run.
On Jasper's side, Quentin Winans was excellent, going 2-for-3 with one home run, two runs, and one stolen base. Winans is becoming a predictor of the Eagles' success: when he posts at least two runs the team is undefeated (and 6-7 when he doesn't).
Early wasted no time getting back out on the field and has already played their next game, an 18-2 victory against Chadwick on the 4th. As for Jasper, they also didn't take long to hit the field again: they've already played their next matchup, a 17-1 defeat against Lamar on the 4th.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
