Defense was a problem for the Blacksburg baseball team in a loss to Lockhart on Tuesday. The Wildcats solved that problem in a 5-2 win over Jonesville on Friday.

Ryan Dillenger and Gary Gaut made key defensive plays and centerfielder Jessie Hardin made a gamesaving catch to end the game.

"Jessie's catch was just outstanding," Blacksburg coach Toby Elliott said. "We played good defense."

The Wildcats got a solid outing from starter Cameron Byars, who allowed just six hits and struck out four to improve to 3-2.

Tyler Adams went three innings to get the loss.

The Wildcats jumped to a 1-0 lead in the first when Nathan Dixon reached on an error, advanced to second on a error, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on an error.

Blacksburg extended its lead to 5-0 in the third. Byars led off with a triple and scored on Dixon's single.

After Dustin Batchler singled, Gaut followed with a 2run double. Ashby Pruitt knocked in a run with a single.

Adams had a 2-run double in the sixth to pull Jonesville within 5-2. Jonesville threatened again in the sixth with runners on first and second but Brad Allen flied out to Hardin to end the game.

Blacksburg improves to 9-6 overall and 5-4 in the region.

"This is a big win after the loss to Lockhart," the Blacksburg coach said.