The Atlantic Trojans baseball team lost 10-0 against the Bondurant-Farrar Blue Jays in the first round of the Class 3A Substate 8 Friday night. The top of the first inning only saw one hit for Atlantic by Hudson McLaren as the rest of the batters were retied. Things quickly heated up for the Bluejays in the bottom of the first as an RBI single from Parker Ernst and Dawson Ehlers stealing home created a 2-0 lead for Bondurant-Farrar. The next two Bluejay batters were walked and Drew Peltz hit a 2 RBI single creating a larger 4-0 deficit at the end of the first inning.

The second inning saw neither team score as both pitchers seemed to take over. In the bottom of the third inning Bondurant-Farrar applied more pressure on Atlantic as the Bluejays managed to load the bases which brought in Hudson McLaren to a tough situation as a relief pitcher. He would have a 2 RBI double hit off of him, but recovered by throwing 3 strikeouts against the next five batters he faced. In total, the Trojans would give up 5 runs in the bottom of the third giving Bondurant-Farrar a 9-0 lead.

During the fourth and fifth innings Atlantic only had one hit which seemed to highlight their woes at the plate. But, on the mound Gavin McLaren proved to be an asset with his appearance in the bottom of the fourth as he gave up no hits and struck out 2, to keep the score at 9-0. The nail in the coffin for Atlantic was in the bottom of the fifth when the Trojans would intentionally load the bases with the go ahead run on third. McLaren’s second pitch to Parker Ernst turned into a passed ball and Fenton Smith sprinted towards home plate for the walk off at 10-0.

When looking back on the expectations for Atlantic’s postseason performance, Trojan Head Coach Nathan Block commended his players for the way they fought.

The pitching performances by both Hudson McLaren and Gavin McLaren were deemed praiseworthy. Hudson pitched 1 inning, gave up 3 runs, 1 hit, and had 2 strikeouts. Gavin pitched 1 1/3 innings with 1 run scored, no hits, 2 strikeouts, and 2 walks.

This past year was full of growth for the Trojans baseball program and Gavin McLaren is one player who has shown a lot of potential throughout the year.

Coach Block is optimistic about what next year will bring for the Trojans as he returns to a team with plenty of promise.

Atlantic’s loss will have their final record of the year at 1-23. Bondurant-Farrar advances with the win to the district semifinal against Lewis Central on Monday.