Things looked good early for the JV Cougar baseball team, but the Cave Spring Knights used two big innings to overcome an early Cougar led and take down the Cougars 9-4.
Cave Spring took the early lead with one run in the top of the first inning, thanks to three singles.
The Cougars answered in the bottom of the second with three runs. Kaleb Sartin started the inning off with a single. Sartin stole second with Boone Blevins up to bat, then advanced to third when Blevins hit a line drive to center field. Blevins stole second with Conner Whitaker at bat. Whitaker earned a walk to load the bases for Auston Wilson. A routine grounder resulted in a Cave Spring error, putting Wilson on first and scoring Sartin and Blevins. Chase Lawrence hit a single to left field to advance all runners and load the bases again. Carston Hall hit a grounder for the second out of the inning, but earned an RBI when Whitaker scored. The inning ended with the Cougars up 3-1.
The Knights answered with three runs in the top of the fourth inning, another run in the top of the fifth, and then four runs in the top of the sixth inning.
Trailing 9-3, the Cougars needed a rally. Mason Cox earned a walk to start of the bottom of the seventh inning. After a strikeout for the first out of the inning, Logan Wright earned a walk to put runners on first and second. Lawrence earned a walk to load the bases and give the Cougars hope. Hall hit a grounder to the shortstop but reached base thanks to a Knight error. Cox scored on the play, but two pop ups ended the game with the Cougars falling 9-4.
Sartin helped lead the Cougars with two hits and a run. Lawrence, Andrew Newby, and Blevins each collected one hit. Sartin, Blevins, Cox and Whitaker each recorded a run.
Five JV Cougar pitchers saw action in the game. Sartin started the day on the mound, going three innings and allowing four hits, three runs (two earned) and six walks while striking out six. Newberry came in for one inning, giving up one run and one walk while striking out two. Blevins pitched for one inning, giving up one run and two walks. Brogan Epperly pitched one inning, giving up two hits, four runs (one earned), and three walks while striking out two. Whitaker closed the game out with two walks and one strikeout.
With the loss, the JV Cougars are now 7-4 on the season. The team is scheduled to host Floyd County Wednesday and then Patrick Henry on Thursday. Game time each day is set for 5 p.m.