t was another tough night at the "Eagles Nest" for Airport as it took on the Gilbert Indians.

After falling to Midland Valley 10-0 on Tuesday night, the Eagles lost 8-1 to the visitors.

Gilbert scored two runs in the top half of the first inning thanks to RBIs from Hayden Hill and Dawson Burkett.

Starting pitcher Cooper Branham worked 5 scoreless innings on the mound. He kept the Eagles off the scoreboard as Airport stranded at least 1 runner in nearly every inning.

“That’s been the story the last couple of games,” Coach Tim Perry said after the game. “We’re just not stringing enough good at-bats with runners on.”

Dawson Burkett went 3-4 and Well Sykes and Joey Parker had 2 hits for the Indians.

Thursday night was the second loss of the week for the Eagles.

“I still believe we’re a good club," Perry said. "I think we’re very capable."

The fix?

“We’ve gotta sure some things up on the mound and in the field and we have to get more good at-bats in a row.”

This loss marks the third of the early season for the Airport Eagles. A team that Coach Perry mentioned would rely on freshmen to contribute appears to be going through some growing pains as we get into the month of March.

It was mentioned before the Sandlapper Shootout that Gilbert head coach Ashley Burnett believes his 2019 team will win on defense, pitching and timely hitting.

Tonight, the Indians got all 3 in 1 inning they scored 3 runs on a hit-by-pitch, a walk, and a passed ball.

Gilbert moves to 4-1 on the season after going 2-1 during the Sandlapper Shootout.