The Origin Blue Jays 18U squad closed out its weekend on a high note, defeating OCS A’s 18U 7-5 on Sunday after dropping a pair of games Saturday in American Legion action.
The Blue Jays comprised of Cedar Creek School players opened the weekend with a 10-2 loss to Swing Lab 17U before falling 9-6 to 2 Seam Sports Rush/Sims 18U.
Against OCS A’s, Origin overcame an early 2-0 deficit with a seven-run third inning. Connor Yates delivered the biggest hit of the rally with a two-run double as the Blue Jays collected six hits in the frame to seize control.
Yates also picked up the win in relief, allowing one unearned run on three hits over 3 2/3 innings while striking out two without issuing a walk. Cole Luker provided 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Yates and Brett Bell each drove in two runs, while Bell and Micah Taylor finished with two hits apiece.
Saturday’s opener against Swing Lab saw Origin held to two hits in a 10-2 setback. Case Phillips and Yates recorded the Blue Jays’ only hits, with Phillips driving in a run. Origin showed patience at the plate with eight walks, including two each by Yates and Eli Slocum.
Brett Bell started on the mound and struck out four over two innings. Origin played error-free defense, with Abram Riser handling four chances.
The Blue Jays were more competitive in Saturday’s second game but came up short against 2 Seam Sports Rush/Sims 18U.
Slocum’s RBI double in the first inning helped Origin erase an early deficit, and Case Phillips delivered a two-run double in the third to tie the game at 5-5. However, JP Mann’s RBI double in the fourth put 2 Seam back in front, and Graham Chandler added a three-run homer in the fifth to help seal a 9-6 victory.
Slocum and Phillips each collected two hits and drove in two runs for Origin. The Blue Jays again showed plate discipline, drawing eight walks. Cason Floyd, Yates and Bell each walked twice, while Yates added two stolen bases.
Origin committed no errors in the game, with Bell recording a team-high six defensive chances.
The Blue Jays are scheduled to play the Monroe Buffs today at 6 p.m. at Cedar Creek School.
