Gators baserunner Nick Smith charges toward second while a Wayne Prep player attempts to field the throw in Spring Creek’s 16–0 victory. (Robert Taylor|mountolivetribune.com)
SEVEN SPRINGS — The Spring Creek Gators delivered a commanding performance, routing Wayne Preparatory Academy 16–0 in a varsity baseball contest that showcased timely hitting, aggressive baserunning, and solid defensive execution.
The game, played at Spring Creek High School, marked the Gators’ fifth win of the season, improving their record to 5–7, while Wayne Preparatory Academy dropped to 2–7.
The first inning opened with Wayne Prep coming up to bat but struggling early. Spring Creek’s defense quickly set the tone as the Generals’ leadoff hitter struck out. After that, a brief offensive spark came when one of the Generals reached base with a hit and managed to steal third. However, Spring Creek regained control when Braden Bell, who had reached first base, came home on a fielding opportunity, but the Generals were caught in transition. Camden Jones made a play at first after receiving a throw from Jayson Hill, getting the runner out. Hill followed up with a strikeout, and after Wayne Prep loaded first and second bases, Hill shut the door with another strikeout to end the threat.
In the bottom of the first, Spring Creek began to apply pressure. Haiden Smith hit a ball toward first base but was thrown out. Joshua Carr struck out, and Nathan Jackson launched a deep hit to get on base. Still, the inning ended with Nick Smith striking out, keeping the game scoreless.
The Generals returned to the plate in the top of the second but were again stifled. Hill struck out the first batter. The second batter hit a fly ball that was caught for the second out. The third batter reached first and attempted to steal second, but the Gators secured the out to end the inning.
Spring Creek then took control in the bottom half of the second. Rylan Kornegay opened with a hit to second and reached third on an error. During Braden Bell’s at-bat, a dropped ball by the umpire allowed Kornegay to score, giving Spring Creek a 1–0 lead. Bell later walked and stole third.
Camden Jones stepped up and hit a short ball to first, prompting a brief pause from both teams to regroup. He then stole second. Jayson Hill entered and hit a short grounder to first but was swapped out with Xavier Johnson. During Landon Hines’ plate appearance, Jones and Johnson advanced on a passed ball. Jones came home after Hines walked. Johnson soon followed when Wayne Prep’s pitcher attempted to throw to third, but the baseman dropped the ball, allowing another run.
Hines reached third base after stealing and scored when Smith’s hit was misplayed by the catcher. Although Smith struck out, Carr followed with a walk. Jackson connected with a hit to first, sending Carr to third, and then stole second. Both Jackson and Carr scored when Nick Smith hit a grounder to second, extending the Gators’ lead to 6–0. Kornegay returned to the plate but was thrown out at first.
Bell got on base again with a strong hit to first and quickly stole second. Nick Smith crossed home plate after the hit. Bell later reached third base. Jones walked, and Hill hit a high fly ball that was caught for the third out, preventing further damage.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Gators’ defense stayed sharp. Jones recorded the first out after Hill threw to him at first. The second batter struck out, and the final out came on a grounder to Jones, who was active throughout the game in fielding plays at first base.
In the fourth, Hines kicked off the inning with a sharp hit to first and narrowly made it on base, immediately stealing second. Carr followed with a walk. Jackson then brought in Hines with a base hit, and Carr advanced to second. Both players successfully stole second and third after a missed catch from the pitcher.
Carr scored shortly after on a passed ball. Nick Smith followed with a hit to first. Jackson stole home during Smith’s at-bat, and Smith made it to second base. Continuing the aggressive baserunning, Smith stole third, and Kornegay walked and then stole second.
Bell’s grounder to first allowed Smith to score. Kornegay followed him home after a defensive miscue at third. Bell found himself on third following the play. Jones batted next but grounded out in a well-fielded play between first and second.
Hill bunted for a single and then stole second during Hines’ at-bat. Hines hit a high ball, but the defense held, recording the final out of the inning. Still, Spring Creek had ballooned their lead to 13–0 by the end of the fourth.
Wayne Prep returned to the plate in the top of the fifth, but Spring Creek’s pitching and defense continued to shine. The first Generals batter struck out. The second reached first and attempted to steal second, but the effort was short-lived. The third batter struck out, and the game concluded early via the mercy rule.
Spring Creek’s ability to convert walks, errors, and passed balls into runs was a key factor in their overwhelming win. From the second inning onward, the Gators created multiple scoring opportunities through disciplined plate appearances and aggressive baserunning. They racked up 16 runs over four innings while shutting out the Generals thanks to sharp fielding, several timely strikeouts, and strong defensive awareness from Camden Jones and Jayson Hill.
Kornegay, Bell, Smith, and Jackson were among the most active on the basepaths, consistently applying pressure on Wayne Prep’s infielders. Camden Jones was steady at first base throughout the game, involved in several key outs. Hill played a dual role, contributing from the mound and at second, with clean throws and timely strikeouts to halt any momentum Wayne Prep hoped to build.
