The Jones baseball team collected a season-high 21 hits in a 15-11 non-conference victory over Nunez on Friday night at Noel Suarez Stadium, according to team sources.
Dylan Champagne led the way with five hits, contributing to the Bobcats’ offensive outburst. Sanders Ainsworth and Gage Reeves each had three hits, while Talan Theriot went 3-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI. The team improved to 17-6 overall and finished non-conference play undefeated against Nunez at 10-0.
Nunez took an early 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first, aided by three walks and a hit-by-pitch. Jones responded strongly in the second inning with eight runs, featuring a two-run double by Kelan Guidry, a two-run homer by Sanders Ainsworth, and two hits from Champagne. The Pelicans regained the lead with five runs in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by a two-run single from Brendan Guabert and a three-run home run by Jackson Waller.
The Bobcats retook the lead in the third inning, with Gage Reeves hitting a two-run homer to make it 10-9. Jones maintained the lead for the remainder of the game. Colton Smith replaced Chase Russell after 1.2 innings, allowing nine runs. Trevor Hodges pitched 2.2 innings of no-hit ball with four strikeouts to earn the win. Micah Coutta and Caden Freeman closed out the game.
Jones will open MACCC play Tuesday at No. 3 East Central with a doubleheader scheduled for 4 p.m., according to the team schedule. Nunez’s Luke Conerly took the loss, allowing 12 runs, five earned, over three innings.
