Bryson City – The Maroon Devils built a 6-2 lead over the course of the game, then had to hold off an Andrews rally in the 7th to take a 6-5 Smoky Mountain Conference win Thursday. Senior Trae Bradley earned the save working the Devils out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the 7th. Bradley came on in relief of Darren Blankenship, who picked up the win by working 6 2/3 and yielding only 1 earned run and striking out 7.
Jordan McGaha broke open a tied game with a 2-run shot in the bottom of the fifth. McGaha’s home run also plated Gaige Southards, who had reached on a fielder’s choice two batters earlier.
In the 6th the Devils scored 3 more times. Ian Brooks opened the inning with a triple, but was out at the plate on a Colby Taylor ground ball. Taylor advanced to 2nd on a single by Dylan Smith. Trae Bradley promptly doubled to score both Taylor and Smith. Bradley later scored as Gaige Southards reached on an error.
At the plate Bradley was 2-3 with a pair of rbi and runs, while McGaha finished 2-3 with 3 rbi. Dylan Smith also had a pair of hits on the day.