Jernigan, Taylor combine for three home runs in Saints' loss

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on April 7, 2016 1:48 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

DUDLEY -- Southern Wayne Jackson Massey couldn't have been more pleased with his team's start against Greene Central on a cool, overcast Wednesday afternoon.

Right-hander Alex Bradley retired the Rams in order.

Josh Jernigan and Tyler Brock, who combined to mash three home runs, collected RBI hits during the Saints' first inning.

Then those ugly, worrisome demons -- errors -- came into play.

Three second-inning miscues led to a five-inning uprising for Greene Central, which escaped with a 13-11, non-conference victory at the Doyle Whitfield Athletic Complex.

"When we were struggling early in the year offensively, our defense was playing lights out," Massey said. "Now our offense has started to come along about the last six or seven games, but our defense has been non-existent. The inconsistency is what frustrates me."

Five bobbles, which led to six unearned runs, overshadowed perhaps the Saints' best offensive outing of the year. Massey's club touched three GC hurlers for 13 hits, including six of the extra-base variety.

Catcher Tyler Brock batted 2-for-2 with three RBI and deposited a two-run home run over the left-center field wall in the third inning. Fellow senior Josh Jernigan ended the day 4-for-4 with a career-high five RBI that came off of two towering home runs -- one that landed well beyond the left-center field fence and the other that stayed within a foot inside the left-field pole.

"Today, I just tried to get my timing down on the on-deck circle, that's been a struggle all year for me, really," Jernigan said. "I guess I got it down today. I just tried to wait, get my pitch and let the off-speed stuff go."

Brock and Jernigan helped rally the Saints from a 9-2 deficit that the Rams built through 2 1/2 innings. Southern climbed to within 10-8 on Bradley's two-RBI double in the fifth inning.

Jernigan's sixth-inning blast closed the gap to 12-11.

"We get up seven and they didn't quit," GC head coach Scott Jones said. "I tried to tell our guys they're not going to quit. The way they were swinging the bat, they could get back in the game in an instant. I was proud of our guys for hanging in there."

Greene Central (4-10 overall) picked up an RBI walk in the top of the seventh. Southern Wayne loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh, but sophomore Tyler Horner induced and caught the game-ending pop-up in foul territory.

The Saints fell to 2-6 in contests decided by three runs or less.

"I just think we're struggling as a team right now," Jernigan said. "I think once we can string it together and start playing as a solid unit, we'll do a lot better. Each individual has to play at their potential and that's what it takes to play as a unit."

Southern Wayne (5-10) returns home Friday to face county archrival Eastern Wayne. The teams have split their last four meetings.

First pitch is 6 p.m.