389 Country
Staff Report
The Hayesville High Yellow Jackets baseball team suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Towns County Indians on Tuesday, March 4, dropping their early season record to 0-2. The non-conference matchup, played at Towns County’s home field in Hiawassee, Georgia, saw the Indians jump out to an early lead and hold off a late Hayesville rally to secure the victory.
Towns County wasted no time asserting dominance, plating two runs in each of the first two innings to build a commanding 4-0 advantage. Hayesville’s offense struggled to find its rhythm against the Indians’ pitching, managing just four hits across five innings. The Yellow Jackets’ lone run came in the fifth, when senior Michael Mauney crossed the plate, but it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback.
Hayesville’s batting effort was led by senior Kyle Shaheen, who went 2-for-2 with a perfect 1.000 batting average and reached base all four times, thanks to two walks. Senior Kendall Boyer also contributed, hitting .500 with a 1-for-2 performance, while Mauney added a hit and the team’s only run. Despite a strong baserunning display—stealing nine bases, including two each from Mauney, Tate Roberts, and Dawson Devane—the Yellow Jackets left 16 runners on base and struck out 11 times, hampering their scoring chances.
On the mound, Hayesville’s pitching staff battled but couldn’t contain Towns County’s early surge. Junior Jackson Sellers took the loss, allowing four runs (two earned) on one hit and three walks over 1.1 innings. Sophomore Brady Reynolds and senior Kyle Shaheen provided relief, combining for 4.2 innings, surrendering three hits, and striking out nine, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome. The team’s fielding was solid, with a .920 percentage, highlighted by senior Chance Hughes’ perfect 12 putouts behind the plate.
The loss drops Hayesville to 0-2 as they navigate a challenging start to the 2025 campaign. The Yellow Jackets now face a quick turnaround as they prepare to host Union County High School from Georgia on Friday, March 7. The home opener offers a chance to rebound against another cross-border foe and get their season back on track. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
Despite the slow start, Hayesville’s roster—loaded with seniors like Mauney, Shaheen, Boyer, and Roberts—brings experience and grit to the field. Friday’s matchup against Union County will test their ability to shake off these early setbacks and capitalize on home-field advantage.
Comments