In less than 24 hours, the Paris Eagles played a 3A-4 conference game after having played Charleston at home on Tuesday. Due to a forecast of rain on Friday, the Eagles’ game with Hackett was moved to today. So Paris was playing their second consecutive conference game after a tough loss at home on Tuesday to the Tigers. And for the second consecutive time in the last 24 hours, a Paris baseball player suffered an injury in the fifth inning.
After yesterday’s injury of second baseman Konnor Edwards, Paris starting pitcher Mason Bradley left the game abruptly in the fifth inning with an apparent injury. Just as Edwards’s injury occurred in the fifth inning of yesterday’s game with Charleston, Bradley’s injury occurred in the fifth, as well.
Bradley was seemingly cruising to the win when he left in the fifth. Sophomore Daxson Baumgartner then took the mound in emergency relief of Bradley and finished the game and did not give up a run. Paris scored two runs late in the sixth inning, and Baumgartner closed out the Hornets by striking out the side in the Hackett half of the seventh. Paris defeated Hackett, 5-0.
As I mentioned in yesterday’s story, it is my policy to not discuss or publish player injury information or status. I will say, however, that Konnor Edwards was dressed in street clothes and attended today’s game in the Paris dugout. Undoubtedly, his presence was uplifting for a team that needed to bounce back from the loss to Charleston. All of us are glad to see Konnor back with the team, and we hope to see him back in action soon.
But the loss of Edwards and Bradley, depending on how long they will be out, is huge for the Eagles moving forward. Their loss to the team will be felt both offensively and defensively. Pitching depth for the team has now taken a hit, as both Edwards and Bradley are key members of the available pitchers that will be needed going down the stretch for Paris. For the Eagles, hopefully both players will be able to return fairly soon.
With the win, Paris improved their record to 4-2 in conference. Hackett drops to 1-4 in conference play. Today’s Eagles victory was a “must have” win to keep pace in the top half of the 3A-4 conference standings.
RNN Sports will be in Paris on Thursday to bring you a 3A-4 conference softball game between the Lady Eagles and Two Rivers. First pitch for that game is scheduled for 5 p.m.
