By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Reserve Christian coach Michael Reeves attributes much of his team’s 16-4 loss to Bethel Christian in Reserve on Friday to opening game jitters.

“You could see if from the beginning,” said Reeves. “Everyone was nervous. And as a result we got into a tough spot.”

Bethel scored five runs in the first inning and never trailed.

RCS (0-1) scored in the bottom of the first inning, and added two more in the second inning in response to another Bethel (1-1) run.

RCS trailed 6-3, but it was the closest it would come. Bethel tacked on another five run inning in the fourth to go ahead 11-3.

Bethel pitching held RCS to only three hits.

Daysha Blount scored three runs and hit an inside-the-park home run for RCS. She walked twice, and on both occasions she stole second and third before scoring on a fielder’s choice.

Kelsey Joseph also went 1-of-3 at the plate. Reeves praised her defense at the catcher position.

“She really stood out,” he said.

But Reserve’s defense as a whole proved to be a trouble spot. 10 Bethel runs were unearned.

On the mound, Amanda Watson (0-1) had some control issues early on, but Reeves noted that she put that behind her as the game went on.

“She settled down nicely in the middle innings,” he said.

Watson allowed only five hits in the game.