From playing in small town Hope one week, to playing in the capital the next, the Hope Bobcats’ opposition for the week was a two day tournament in Little Rock between March 27th and 28th. The Bobcats opened with two drury matchups on Friday against the Palestine-Wheatley Patriots and the Westside Warriors, losing 17-0 and 16-1.
In a brilliant turn of events however, the Bobcats woke up Saturday and chose to fight, defeating the defending home team, the Mills University Studies Comets, 17-5. The Bobcats began their victorious campaign with a hot start by scoring 6 runs in the first inning, all to then let up 5 runs in the bottom of the first. From this point on, the red and white stole the show for good, scoring three runs in the second and third innings, two in the fourth, and a finishing three in the fifth to pull off a five inning beatdown.
Soon after, we asked Head Coach Brandon Martindale about his thoughts on Saturday afternoon’s win. ” I’m really proud of the way we came out and competed after a tough stretch Friday. The focus and attitudes of our players was in a really good place. Sam Johnson had a good game and was able to go the distance for us on the mound. Offensively, we had great approaches at the plate which allowed us to tally twelve hits. Aiden Dean had a great game and was our leading hitter going three for three at the plate while pitcher Sam Johnson contributed two hits as well.”
The Cats return to conference play this Tuesday, March 31st to play the De Queen Leopards at 5:00 pm, at Legion Field.