Although the weather has not been springlike, baseball is in full swing at Mathews High School.
This year’s Blue Devils junior varsity baseball team’s roster consists of 15 players. The team boasts three sophomores: James Cook (captain), Hunter Hudgins and Chad Lewis. Freshmen that made the cut are Payton Blake (captain), Mikel Garrett, Preston Hudgins and Tyler Thompson. Eighth graders are Ethan Armistead, Chad Beattie, Mason Fiscella, Jalen Matthews, Ryan Stewart, Cody Tunstall, Brandon Williams and Elijah Willis.
Mathews welcomes Brian Moore to the coaching staff, while Patrick Beattie returns for his fifth year as manager. The Devils started off their 2014 season Friday by hosting Essex. Mathews’ bats were showcased in their 16-3 win. The officials ended the game in four and a half innings due to the slaughter rule.
Garrett, the Devils’ starting pitcher, threw for two and a third innings, recording four strikeouts and allowing only one run. Williams finished...