The Mathews High School varsity baseball team battled Essex on Friday, with the lead going back and forth before the visiting Trojans prevailed at the end, 12-9. Mathews roared right back on Tuesday to crush Charles City in another home game, this time winning, 16-4.

Essex

While the Devils’ performance improved over the first matchup between these two teams (Mathews lost to Essex in the season opener, 12-2), it wasn’t enough for the win.

Leading Mathews at the plate was Noah Wright, who collected four hits in five at-bats. Blue Devil batters contributed a total of 10 hits, with Wright and Colin Moore each driving in two runs. The Devils also practiced patience at the plate, collecting a total of 10 walks, with Danny Hogge, Cam Matthews and Timmy Dehoux among those drawing walks.

While the teams traded the lead, Essex took the final lead in the top of the sixth off an error. Blue Devil starting pitcher Justin Jones struck out four Trojan batters.

Charles City

Mathews ...