Chicks end season with losses to Blazers

The Blytheville Chickasaws' season came to an end Tuesday night at the Blytheville Youth Sportsplex against Valley View.

The Chicks hung with one of the 5A-East league leaders in both games. But in the end, the Blazers won 12-2 and 7-1.

GAME ONE Valley View 12, Blytheville 2

Valley View scored nine runs over the fourth and fifth innings to beat the Chicks, 12-2, in five innings.

The Chicks answered a two-run Blazer first inning with two runs over their own in the home half and trailed just 3-2 heading into the fourth inning. However, the Blazer bats came to life over the next two innings scoring four in the fourth and five in the fifth ending the game early.

Pitcher Cody Hearyman gave up just one earned run and struck out three in four and a half innings pitched for the Chicks.

Picking up hits for the Chicks were Hearyman (1-3 with a run scored), Jamal Washington (1-3), Alex Draughn (1-3 with a run scored), Josh Plunkett (1-2) and Calup Hedger (1-2 with an RBI).

GAME TWO Valley View 7, Blytheville 1

Blytheville and Valley View were knotted up at 1-1 heading into the sixth inning in game two before the Blazers plated six runs over their final two at bats to take a 7-1 win.

In his final game in a Chickasaw uniform, senior Jamal Washington pitched six strong innings, giving up just one earned run on four hits while striking out 11 batters.

Washington picked up a hit at the plate as well along with Josh Plunkett (2-3 and an RBI), Calup Hedger (2-3) and Alex Draughn (one run scored).

The Chicks finish the season with a 4-17 record overall and 1-13 in the 5A-East.

Washington finished the season with a .492 batting average overall and .474 against strong competition in the 5A-East.

In softball action, the Blytheville Lady Chickasaws finished the season with 16-0 and 15-0 losses to the Valley View Lady Blazers. The Lady Chicks ended the year 0-14 in 5A-East play and 1-15 overall.

afitzpatrick@blythevillecourier.com