Miscues lead Jaguars over Leopards

By JOSE NEGRON

jnegron@yourmvi.com

Thomas Jefferson took advantage of the opposition’s miscues and used timely hitting to capture a 14-4 victory over Belle Vernon Area in nonsection play Thursday at the John DiVirgilio Sports Complex in Rostraver Township. 

The win helped snap a four-game losing streak for the Jaguars (2-6), who moved up from Class 4A to 5A this season. 

“We needed that one pretty bad because we’ve been reeling a little bit,” Thomas Jefferson head coach Tim Vickers said. “The kids came in with a lot of confidence and they were loose. It was definitely a quality win.” 

TJ finished with 10 hits, but a majority of its runs came on mistakes made on BVA’s part. Seven runs were scored on either passed balls or wild pitches, while three scored on errors. The Leopards (5-3) finished with five errors in the loss. 

“We didn’t pitch well and we didn’t field well,” BVA head coach Tony Watson said. “We still have a lot of work to do.” 

Thomas Jefferson scored two or more runs in all but one inning and got things started with a three-run first inning. 

Shultz Reinhart wasted little time showing off his power and his speed as he started the game with a triple into the gap in left-center field off BVA starter Peyton Rothey. 

Reinhart finished with a pair of extra-base hits, but his tone-setting three-bagger was one of the biggest hits of the contest. 

“That hit really made the whole group loose and confident at the same time,” Vickers said. “That was a big spark to start the game.” 

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