Fleming Island Held Runless, Falls 6-0 to Buchholz

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The 13-5 Fleming Island Falcons (Orange Park) traveled to a packed Buchholz High field to extend their win streak to three under a beautiful Friday night sunset. But, the 12-5 Bobcats continued their momentum from Tuesday’s win, and a defensive shutout led them to a 6-0 home win over the Falcons.

Wake up! Its Game Day!!
We host Fleming Island tonight in a Top 10 6A District 3 Matchup.
🆚🦅's
⌚️7:00
🏟️Bobcat Park pic.twitter.com/9k1no5mYCs

— Buchholz Baseball (@Bobcat_Baseball) April 14, 2023

A defensive clinic put on by Anthony Wilkie and his stellar outfield shut out the away team.

Cedaris Smith hit the play of the game with a big home run that brought almost half of the Bobcat runs in this game into the bank.

Innings 1-3

The first two innings were incredibly defensive. Both teams struggled to feel out their opponent. However, with two outs left at the back of the second inning, Buchholtz completed a stretch of plays that shifted all momentum in their favor. 

To begin the barrage of plays, the Bobcats hit a huge double to bring in two runs. The next play, a base was stolen, and then the very next play, another double was hit over the foul line past first base by Danny Hiebert. This hit brought him a third run. Following this three play stretch, the Bobcat dugout exploded into cheers and chants — which were hard not to smile at.

The camaraderie of this team was on full display as the team rejoiced.

Anthony Wilkie was back at pitcher. Wilkie did a great job leading his outfield into some great plays at the back end of the second inning. Fleming Island was able to hit a decent number of pitches, but the arm strength and accuracy of the Bobcat outfielders proved to be too much for any batter that decided to run a new base. 

Innings 3-7

The third inning’s first blood was struck by JJ Gardner, threading a good hit between the Falcon outfielders between second and third base to bring in another run for the Bobcats.

As big of a moment as this was for the team, Cedaris Smith stole the show for the Bobcats a couple plays later. A huge homer over the left side of the fence brought the Buchholz lead to six. Fleming Island’s pitching attack grouped up at the home base after this big moment. The Falcons were confused as to what they could do next under this heavy offensive barrage from the home team.

A double from Austin Middleton and a single from Kyle Brewer continued the offensive headache for Fleming Island. The Falcons were saved by a fly ball to put them out of their misery, but not for long. Anthony Wilkie led his outfield to three more outs with no runs to end the third inning in a shutout. Buchholz led 6-0 at the onset of the fourth. 

The fourth inning started like the third ended. Neither team could capitalize on the the hits that they earned. 

The fifth inning began with a change up of pitchers. Wyatt Dietrich and his outfield seemed to have more control over the Buchholz batting attack. That is, until Buchholz outfielder RJ Whited got nailed square with a pitch in the back.

A hitless remainder of the fifth led to another swap of pitchers to Jonah Friedman.

Friedman’s awkward, sidearm style of pitch left JJ Gardner frustrated. The Bobcats eventually adjusted to the UCL-busting throws Friedman was putting out.

The game ended with no runs cashed for Fleming Island.

@Antwilkie20 7IP 2H 0R 2H 1BB 10K’s

Hitters:@SmithCedaris 1-4 HR 2RBI@donny_hiebert 1-3 1RBI@JJ_Gardner2025 2-3 2RBI@Antwilkie20 1-4@AustinM2024 1-3@kylebbrewer 1-3

— Buchholz Baseball (@Bobcat_Baseball) April 15, 2023