Ryan Ewell started for the Blue Devils Monday and took the loss in the MHS opener against Essex, in spite of getting seven strikeouts and giving up just one run. Photo by Charlie Koenig

The Mathews High School varsity baseball team had a disappointing first outing of the 2013 season on Monday night, falling by a 12-1 margin in five innings to the visiting Essex Trojans.

Errors plagued the Devils, along with an explosive fourth inning. Mathews committed two of its five errors in that inning, as well as giving up two walks, allowing the Trojans to score eight runs.

The only Mathews run came off a double to right center field by Austin Kemp, followed by an RBI single by pinch-hitter Will Harrington. Kemp went 2-for-3 at the plate.

Senior Ryan Ewell started on the mound for Mathews and was tagged with the loss, although he had a strong performance, striking out seven in three innings and giving up only one run.

"We had some chances in the first couple of innings," said first-year head coach Derek Kibler. The Devils had bases loaded with one out in the first inning and left runners stranded on second and third bases in the second.

"The guys have been working hard and buying into new concepts," said Kibler, who formerly was head coach of the Gloucester High School varsity team. "We’re getting to know each other as a coach and players."

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