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The Cubs kept up their torrid start to the season in the West Georgia Men’s baseball league by drubbing the Banana Peels 16-5 on Thursday. 

The Cubs offense was locked in and cashed in early to force a mercy rule after just 4.5 innings of play. But it was actually the Banana Peels that took an early lead on a Noah Hobson home run over the center field wall for two quick runs. The lead would not last for the Banana Peels as the Cubs scored four runs in the bottom of the first to take a lead they would never relinquish.

Zach Neighbors scored on a steal of home in the bottom of the second to give the Cubs a 5-2 lead as the offense began to heat up. The Cubs bats really began to heat up in the fourth when Jaysen Dower and Trent Sheppard hit home runs in the span of three batters to 8-2 lead in the bottom of the third. Dower was outstanding for the Cubs, going 3-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI. Sheppard also put together a complete offensive performance, going 2-for-2 with three RBIs and three runs scored. 

The Banana Peels thought they got back in the game when they cut the Cubs lead to just three runs in the top of the fourth. RBI singles from Seth Summerhayes and Nathan Boger as well as a ground out by Patrick McCaskey saw the three runners reach home.

Any hope of a Banana Peel rally was squashed by the Cubs, who scored eight runs in the bottom of the fourth to put the game out of reach. It was a complete team bombardment for the Cubs, but it was Wesley Marchman’s grand slam that was the real stand out hit from the inning. It was his only hit, but it was a monster one.

Auston Wilson had two hits while Braelin Mitchell, Austin Manning, Houston Wilson, Jaxon Duncan, Jake Matt and Neighbors all had a hit each for the Cubs. 

J Smith got the start on the mound for the Cubs with Wilson and Duncan each pitching an inning in relief.

Andrew Sellers led the offense for the Banana Peels by going 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Boger, Hobson and Summerhayes all had a hit apiece. Hobson, Boger and McCaskey split duties on the mound for the Banana Peels. 

The Cubs (2-0) will take on the Wood Ducks next Monday while the Banana Peels (0-2) will take on the Padres.