A couple of weeks ago, this game might have ended by the run rule. As it was, Trenton’s high school baseball team suffered a 13-4 loss to Cameron on Tuesday at home.
The loss, however, showed the Bulldogs’ growth to date. Trenton was shut out twice earlier in the season by quality opponents in Chillicothe and Putnam County. With Cameron coming to town, a similar result was a possibility.
But Trenton was able to scratch out four runs across seven innings and was in contention for a majority of the contest. Both teams plated a run in the first inning and the 1-1 tie lasted through the second frame as well. It was in the third when Cameron scored five times that Trenton began to fade. The Dragons added two more runs in the fourth and two in the sixth, pulling ahead 10-1. The Bulldogs would fight back in the late innings, however, answering Cameron’s two runs in the sixth with two of their own. Even after Cameron scored three more times in the seventh, Trenton didn’t go down without a fight, scoring one more time before Cameron was able to finish off the game.
“Cameron is a very good team,” said Trenton Head Coach Andy Hight, who spent the last two seasons coaching at Cameron. “They have one of the best offensive lineups we have faced. We did not play as well as we are capable of, but our kids continued to battle and we were able to cut the lead to six late in the game. Every game we play, we learn more and get better. Playing good teams helps the development of our players, our team and the program. Games like this will pay dividends for us later in the season.
“I’m proud of our kids and we will continue to get better. I truly believe we are building something special here.”
Trenton scored all four of its runs without an RBI hit. Hunter Dugan crossed the plate twice, going one-for-two with a walk in the contest. He also stole two bases. Jesse Farmer was one-for-three with a run and a steal and Colton Colston scored Trenton’s other run, collecting a team-high two hits and three steals.
Farmer (0-1) took the loss, allowing six runs, five earned, on four hits and five walks while striking out one. Sam Schilling went three innings as well, yielding four runs on six hits and three walks without a strikeout. Avery Cooksey worked the seventh, allowing three runs, none of which were earned, on two hits and a walk while striking out one.
With the loss, Trenton moved to 5-4 overall on the season.
UP NEXT
Trenton will battle Green City at home on Thursday, weather permitting. Farmer and Schilling are both unavailable to pitch in that game, however, Trenton will have its top arms available in Spencer Harris and Hunter Dugan, both of whom were unavailable for the Cameron contest.
The first pitch between the Bulldogs and Gophers at Burleigh Grimes Field on Thursday is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.