Photo Credit: Mark Dawson 3D Athletics
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore – The Hornets (12-1; 4-0) scored 25 runs in the first inning against the Klamath Union Pelicans (1-11; 0-4) then coasted to a 35-2 victory in Skyline Conference play on Thursday.
The Pelicans went down in order in the top half of the first inning against Henley starter Max Price. The Hornets scored their first two runs on an Aiden Hayes double. Then Mark Carpenter hit his third home run of the season and put the Hornets up 4-0. Lane Frank continued the onslaught with a two RBI double, and Beau Pyle tripled to score Frank. After Luke Austin drew a walk, the Hornets batted through the order for the first of three times in the opening frame. Henley was already up 17-0 when Carpenter stepped to the plate for the third time, this one with the bases juiced. Carpenter jacked a grand slam for his second home run of the game to put the Hornets up 21-0 in the first. It wasn’t until Henley notched their 25th run that the bleeding would finally stop for Klamath Union
The Pelicans needed three pitchers to escape the first. The starter, Jack Everett, failed to record an out and gave up the first nine runs. Then it was Ryan Glidden’s turn to try and swat the Hornets, but he allowed seven runs and walked five in 0.1 innings of work. Lamar Cuellar would finish the first with 0.2 innings pitched and 9 runs allowed.
After a lackluster first inning, Klamath Union found their footing on the mound when PJ Safford took the ball. The KU Sophomore worked 2.2 innings only allowing 2 earned runs, but six total Pelican errors allowed five unearned runs to score on Safford’s watch.
The Pelican offense did get some reprieve when they scored two runs in the fourth. Braden Dawson hit a leadoff single then Glidden tripled home the run. Chase Knecht hit a sacrifice fly to drive home Glidden. But ultimately it was a drop in the bucket as Henley would go on to win 35-2.
The Hornets return to Rosser Field on Saturday for a double-header with Mazama. Klamath Union meets Phoenix for a twin bill at Kiger Stadium on Saturday.
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