HOPE - The Hope Bobcats baseball team opened season play Tuesday, March 2 against the El Dorado Wildcats at home for non-conference action. The Bobcats fought hard against the Wildcats with Tyler Biddle blasting a home run giving Hope a 2-1 lead in the third and fourth innings. El Dorado would come back with a home run in the top of the seventh inning and went on to defeat the Bobcats 6-2.
In game action, in the top of the first inning, the Wildcats scored one run and Hunter Halliday putting on the heat having one strike out. In the bottom of the first, Taylor Wood doubled, Cameron Holston went out on his attempt at bat, Tyler Biddle walked with Wood moving to third base. Austin Muldrew went out on his attempt at bat, Pat Shepard walked and Biddle stole second base with bases loaded. Halliday went out on his attempt at bat and the inning came to a close. El Dorado led Hope 1-0.
In the top of the second, the Wildcats recorded no runs and Halliday had two strike outs for the Bobcats at the pitcher's mound. In the bottom of the second, Oree Bradley singled, Andrew Bryant flied out to first base and Bradley moved to second base. Jordan Laughard flied out to the catcher and Bradley was out heading to third base at the close of the second. El Dorado led Hope 1-0.
In the top of the third, the Wildcats recorded no runs and Halliday keeping the heat going with one strike out. In the bottom of the third, Wood bunted, Holston grounded out to second with Wood moving to second base. Biddle blasted a home run out the park with Wood scoring runs. Muldrew and Shepard went out on their attempts at bat. At the close of the third, Hope led El Dorado 2-1.
In the top of the fourth, the Wildcats were kept scoreless and Halliday had one strike out. In the bottom of the fourth, Halliday, Bradley and Bryant all went out on their attempts at bat. The Bobcats remained with the lead over El Dorado 2-1 at the close of the fourth.
In the top of the fifth, the Wildcats would tie the game scoring a run and Dylan Regan relieved Halliday at the pitcher's mound. In the bottom of the fifth, the Bobcats would fall short of scoring runs. At the close of the fifth, Hope and El Dorado were knotted 2-2.
