Bears momentum stifled, held to one hit in defeat to Meigs

Momentum was tilting towards Tellico.

The Bears put four base runners on without notching a hit in the top of the second. A single from Kyle Duckworth into center field pushed a second run across the plate and things looked up for the two-win Bears.

But an advancing runner heading home was beaten by the throw and tagged out. A sudden chance to strike was suffocated. Meigs County captured the momentum soon after, holding Tellico to one hit in a five-inning 12-2 defeat on Monday.

“We just have to get better. We have to do things better,” Tellico Plains coach Heath Ware said.

The Bears (2-9; 0-5 District 3-2A) were held to six baserunners in the defeat in Decatur while host Meigs County (5-6; 2-3) tallied 10 baserunners in an explosive, seven-run bottom of the second.

“Kyle (Duckworth) was throwing good. There were a couple balls I thought could be strikes. The umpire was pretty consistent and (Meigs County) started hitting the ball,” Ware added. “We threw in a couple of errors. They just jumped on us, got the moment and we could not get it back.”

The hosts strung together three hits to square the score before three walks in four at-bats pushed the Tigers ahead. Meigs County proceeded to add four runs in the next three at-bats through a combination of hits and a fielder’s choice.

Meigs County ripped a triple into center field to cap off the scoring.

Following the second inning, Tellico was held to one baserunner — Clint Moser reaching first base through an error.

“Just get better. And that includes me coaching as well,” Ware said. “We just have to keep getting better and keep grinding to catch up with our competition.”

Sophomore Roper Gudger stepped onto the hill for Tellico in the second inning, finishing the night.

Gudger allowed five hits and three earned runs while walking one batter through 2.2 innings pitched.

“He is doing good. He came in and did a good job,” Ware said. “He is just raw, but he will get it. I am proud of him for coming in and throwing some strikes.”

Tellico will host Meigs County on Tuesday to end the series before hosting Sequoyah on Wednesday at noon.