Mitchell musters only one hit in its playoff debut, a 5-1 loss to Lakeland George Jenkins.
By GREG AUMAN
Published May 12, 2004
TRINITY - Making its playoff debut on its home field, Mitchell could muster just one single in a 5-1 loss to No. 9 Lakeland George Jenkins. What frustrated the Mustangs most, however, was that they were a defensive play or two away from a close game.
"We had some missed opportunities, some balls fall in that haven't fallen in all year," coach Phil Bell said. "You probably still lose this game 2-1 without those, so you still lose, but we didn't put enough pressure offensively on their pitcher."
Jenkins ace Wes Spickard (11-1) struck out seven and gave up one hit, Derek Shaw's single up the middle to lead off the fourth inning. He then retired the final 12 batters in order, helping the Eagles advance to host a semifinal Friday against Plant, a 5-4 winner against Chamberlain.
"We only have two seniors, and it's nice when those guys step up for us," Jenkins coach Tom Patton said of Spickard and outfielder Axel Trinidad, who drove in three runs. "It makes the younger guys a little more relaxed, and in the last few weeks, both have really picked it up for us."
Despite the one hit, Mitchell (13-13) was in the game for four innings. The Mustangs led 1-0 in the first when Eric Gustin was hit by a pitch, advanced on C.J. Hanson's sacrifice bunt, took third on a wild pitch and scored on a balk. Spickard walked four batters and hit another in the first two innings, then settled down, allowing only one baserunner the rest of the way.
Jenkins (23-6) tied the game in the second, and the rest of the Eagles' runs came immediately after two defensive miscues from Mitchell. Hanson, playing second base in the third inning, dove for a bloop single but had it pop out of his glove, and Trinidad followed with a two-run single.
In the fifth, Hanson lost a pop fly in shallow rightfield that dropped for a leadoff double, and Beau Mears and Trinidad followed with RBI singles for Jenkins' final two runs.
