New Manchester dropped their first region baseball game of the year Wednesday evening, falling 8-0 to visiting Woodland of Bartow County.

Despite the loss, the Jags, who have struggled with pitching this year, got a strong start from Tyler Smith. Smith allowed only three earned runs over six innings. He walked one and struck out two.

Smith got absolutely no defensive backup as the New Manchester defense committed 10 errors.

However, coach Chuck Walker states that the team is much better than last season.

Anthony Kempson picked up the lone hit for the Jags at the plate. New Manchester hitters put the ball in play, only striking out six times. But the team’s luck ran short as hit after hit went right at a Woodland defender.

New Manchester’s best offensive inning was the fourth, when Kempson singled and a walk to BRandon Worthington put two runners on. However, New Manchester was unable to pick up a run.

The Jags are 0-6 on the year and now 0-1 in the 5-5A region.