Westran takes down Madison in five

By Kris Childs

The Westran Hornets played the Madison Panthers Tuesday night at home in front of their supporters who braved the windy conditions.

The spring windy weather was a big factor in the defense of Tuesday’s matchup with gusts ranging from 18-22 MPH. The wind direction was from right to left and played tricks on high fly balls and even made throws from third to first unusually tough.

Westran’s Reggie Nute got the call for the start and performed well keeping Madison off the bases in the top of the first inning. In Westran’s half of the inning they would get their offense started early when number two hitter Drake Buffington belted a solo home run to make it 1-0. With a mixture of walks, singles, and sacrifices the Hornets managed to bat through the line-up in the first and jumped out to an early 4-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second Westran doubled their first inning efforts plating 8 runs that included a monster 2-run home run by Westran first baseman Tycie Linneman that sailed over the bleachers in left center field.

Andrew Baxley came on in relief in the fifth inning and had some control issues but the damage was minimal only giving up one run. Westran would hold on to their lead and win 12-1 in five innings.

For Westran Reggie Nute picks up the win as he pitched four innings of shutout baseball.  Tycie Linneman went 2-2 with a home run 2 RBI’s and a run scored, Drake Buffington went 1-4 with a home run, Wade Wilhite was 2-3 with 2 RBI’s and a run, Tyler Aulber, Trent Land, and Matt George also collected a hit.

Westran is now 3-1 overall and will play Macon Thursday night at home at 5:00. The Hornets will also host their Westran Classic this Saturday afternoon.