Garner had lost three straight on the road, but on Thursday they dropped down to 6-6 to make it four. They fell just short of the Clayton Comets by a score of 9-7. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest defeat the Trojans have suffered since April 17, 2025.
Tanner Pope was cooking despite his team's loss, going 2-for-4 with one home run and four RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Camden Walton, who went 2-for-4 with two stolen bases and one run.
As for Clayton, they now have a winning record of 6-5. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win they have posted since March 5th.
On Clayton's side, Calvin Madenspacher was a major factor no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, pitching one inning while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Madenspacher also tossed no earned runs, which is notable because Clayton is undefeated when he allows at most one earned run, but 3-5 otherwise. Madenspacher was also big at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI. He has been hot recently, having posted at least one stolen base the last three times he's played.
In other pitching news, Clayton gave Weston Lowe the start and clearly made the right call: he tossed 3.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit.
Back at the plate, Parker Kilpatrick was a standout: he went 2-for-3 with three stolen bases, three RBI, and one run. Those three stolen bases gave him a new career-high. Cameron Thompson was another key player, going 2-for-3 with two runs, one stolen base, and two RBI.
Coincidentally, Garner and Clayton will both be playing Southeast Raleigh the next time they take the field. The Comets will head out to face the Bulldogs at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, while the Trojans will host them at 5:00 p.m. on the 7th.
