T-L Photo/SETH STASKEY
BELLAIRE SENIOR pitcher Jake Heatherington delivers a pitch throughout Monday’s season opener in opposition to Martins Ferry at John Blacker Field in Neffs. Heatherington went the space in selecting up the win. He struck out 13 and walked two.

NEFFS — Bailey McGrath couldn’t have written a greater script for his debut as Bellaire head baseball coach.

He inherits a senior-laden workforce, trots ace pitcher Jake Heatherington out to the mound for the opener in opposition to rival Martins Ferry in entrance of an enormous crowd at sun-splashed John Blacker Field and the Big Reds introduced their skipper with a 5-3 victory.

“I honestly can’t put into words what this (win) means,” McGrath mentioned. “We have six seniors who have all started the last two years and it’s a tribute to them. I don’t play. They did it. They’ve been through some rough times (in their careers), but they’ve stuck it out and I am very happy for them.”

The unquestioned chief of the Big Reds is Heatherington who’s going to provide Bellaire a respectable probability to be in each recreation that he’s on the bump. Mixing his pitches, however counting on his spectacular velocity for probably the most half, he went the route and fanned 13, together with each spot within the Purple Rider batting order at the least as soon as.

“Jake’s tough every time he throws,” McGrath smiled. “He’s a useful weapon to have.”

Indeed.

In seasons previous, Heatherington wasn’t at all times the beneficiary of the most effective run assist. So, evidently, when the Big Reds have been capable of stake him to a 3-0 lead within the second, it was as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Actually, Heatherington, who hit within the clean-up spot, performed a job within the offense, too. He singled to open the second after which stole second. A few hitters later, Kaden Banal singled dwelling Heatherington. Banal scored when first baseman Landon Preston ripped a double to the fence in left heart. He ultimately scored on an error as he was making an attempt to steal third.

“I know Heatherington is good, but Merry Christmas! They only hit one ball out of the infield in the first three innings and had three runs,” lamented Martins Ferry head coach Anthony Reasbeck. “You simply can’t afford to do that against (Heatherington).”

The Big Reds made it 4-0 within the third by benefiting from a free out. Ferry starter Baron Lucey, who was sturdy in defeat with 10 strikeouts, fanned senior Jakob Dowling, however the pitch skipped away and he raced to first. He moved round to 3rd on a pair extra wild pitches after which scored on a floor out by Heatherington.

Ferry, which had only one base runner within the first three innings, broke by within the fourth. Sophomore Ayden Ludolph tripled to the hole in proper and scored a few pitches afterward a single by senior Connor Probst.

The Big Reds answered within the backside of the fifth by benefiting from some wildness. Dowling singled and moved to second on a wild pitch after which as much as third on a groundout. Lucey appeared to have escaped the jam by hanging out Heatherington. However, the ball acquired free and he outraced the throw, which allowed Dowling to scamper dwelling.

Martins Ferry didn’t stop. Brayden Maine singled to heart within the sixth. Mason Redinger adopted by reaching on a fielder’s selection during which nary an out was recorded. That set the tables for sophomore Alex Reese, who roped a double to the bottom of the fence in proper, which scored Maine.

“There is no trophy presentation or team pictures being taken on March 27,” Reasbeck mentioned. “Our guys fought like crazy. We lost a game. Big deal! The main thing I care about is that this team has fight and when you have that, we’ll figure the rest out.”

However, Bellaire second baseman Luke Heatherington, from shallow proper subject, threw out Redinger on the plate. Reese ultimately scored on an error earlier than Jake Heatherington acquired out of the jam with a strikeout.

Ferry went quietly within the seventh after Luke Heatherington made a nifty operating catch of a gentle liner. From there, his older brother retired the subsequent two hitters with a strikeout.

“Martins Ferry is tough because they fight to the very end and Coach Reasbeck always puts a quality club on the field,” McGrath mentioned. “Our bats weren’t there for us (Monday), but I think if we can get our bats going, we’re going to be alright.”

Both golf equipment are off right this moment earlier than finishing their season collection Wednesday at Martins Ferry.