UPDATE: Trailing 7-0 heading into the top of the seventh against Class AAA Jefferson, Bridgeport scored an amazing nine times to get a 9-7 win. A Hunter Fain two-run home run put the Indians ahead to stay and help Houston Morris get the win in relief. Tanner Furbee retired all three batters he faced in the bottom of the inning.

 

Bridgeport had an easier time in the nightcap. The Tribe's Sammy Aloi got the win in a 15-4 victory over Hedgesville.

 

The Indians are now 13-0. Tomorrow's lineup listed at the bottom of the story.

 

ORIGINAL: As Bridgeport High School’s baseball team heads to the eastern panhandle today to compete in what they hope will be a trio of weekend baseball games, they’ll be taking with them one of the few perfect records remaining in prep baseball. Thanks to three more wins this past week, the Indians have upped their record to 11-0 on the year.

 

BHS rolled to two of the wins and got tested in another. No matter what the situation, however, the Tribe was able to prevail thanks to strong pitching throughout.

 

“I was really pleased with the starting pitching and how strong it’s been,” said BHS Coach Robert Shields. “We’ve been getting the ball across the plate and haven’t given up too many walks. That’s key because the defense has been outstanding behind our pitchers.”

 

Last Saturday, Bridgeport steamrolled visiting Preston by a 16-0 score in five innings of play. Gordon Swiger pitched the complete game to get the win for the Tribe as he allowed just two hits, didn’t walk a batter and struck out eight.

 

Bridgeport collected nine hits in the game, but it was the free passes issued by the Preston team that proved fatal. The Indians were walked 11 times and struck out just twice in the affair.

 

Hunter Mann was the only player with a multiple hit day as he went 2-for-3 with a double. Seth Friel added the Tribe’s only other extra base hit as he also collected a double.

 

The hosts were in control early with three runs in the first inning and two more in the second. However, Bridgeport blew the game wide open by scoring 11 runs in the third inning.

 

The Tribe followed up that shutout Saturday with another one on Monday. This time, the Indians went on the road to get an 11-0 victory against Elkins.

 

Sammy Aloi was big on the mound as he went the first six innings and allowed four hits and a walk. He also struck out four before Tanner Furbee pitched the seventh to close things out.

 

BHS collected 11 base hits in the game. Elijah Drummond and Logan Smith led the way with two hits each. Smith’s total included a home run, while teammate Ross Marra also collected a home run in the win. Houston Morris’ double was the only other extra base hit.

 

On Tuesday, the Indians had a little more tough time of it against Buckhannon-Upshur. The Indians managed to get a 7-3 win.

 

Hunter Haddix went five innings to get the win. The junior allowed just two hits without a walk and struck out seven as B-U was able to get their three runs once Haddix went to the bench.

 

Bridgeport’s 10 hits were more than enough to secure the win. Joe LaRocca led the hit parade with a 2-for-3 showing that included a double, a home run and three RBIs. Morris, Zach Hineman and J.T. Harris all added doubles for the Tribe.

 

“Even though we’re getting hits and run production, I just don’t think we’ve been hitting the ball solid enough in recent games,” said Shields. “Eventually, you have to do that if you hope to win games at the end of the year when everything is on the line.”

 

The Indians were set to play Bridgeport Wednesday evening, but the game was scrapped due to inclement weather. No makeup date has been announced, said Shields.

 

Bridgeport’s four-game road trip starts this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. with Smith taking the mound against Jefferson. At 7 p.m., Bridgeport will face Hedgesville and Aloi will get the call on the mound. On Saturday, BHS will have little rest as the Tribe starts at 10 a.m. with a game against Spring Mills and follow that up with a 1 p.m. game against Martinsburg. Haddix will start the morning game, while Jared Cleghorn will get the call in the afternoon affair.

 

“We do these trips every year to see how different areas of the state play and for a chance to up against some traditionally strong programs from that part of the state,” said Shields. “Playing four games in two days will tell us a lot about our team.”

 

Editor's Note: Photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.