Error bug bites Sweet Water in third straight loss

Errors once again plagued Sweet Water en route to its third straight loss Monday, an 8-7 setback against Class 2A Leroy.

The Bulldogs kicked it six times over the seven-inning contest, marking a total of 13 errors committed over the course of the team’s only three losses.

Sweet Water snatched the 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Sasha Smith opened the game with a single. Braiden Broussard followed with a walk. Two batters later, Jonah Smith grounded to short to drive in Sasha Smith. Will Huckabee, who reached on a fielder’s choice, then stole third and came around to score without the benefit of a ball being put in play for the 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the third, Leroy announced its presence in the game. Three hits, two errors and two walks added up to five Leroy runs to put the Bears up 5-2. Three more Sweet Water errors in the bottom of the fourth aided Leroy in scoring three more runs despite having only one hit in the inning to stretch the advantage to 8-2.

Sweet Water started to battle its way back in the top of the sixth. Huckabee, Jonah Smith, Mendenhall and Luke Davis connected with four straight singles to start the inning. Mendenhall’s base hit drove in Huckabee to cut it to 8-3. Reid Joiner later doubled in Jonah Smith and Mendenhall to set it at 8-5. Shamar Lewis followed with a grounder to drive in Davis, knifing the deficit to 8-6. Joiner later scored on a passed ball to put the Bulldogs down 8-7.

Huckabee doubled with one out in the top of the seventh to put the tying run in scoring position but the Bulldogs proved unable to get the hit to finish the comeback.

Sweet Water (10-3) is set for a three-game set against area foe Fruitdale Thursday and Friday with the doubleheader taking place at home Friday.