Thorsby sweeps Lamar County, advances to second round
Published 3:36 pm Monday, April 24, 2017
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Twenty-one runs were scored by Thorsby, which swept visiting Lamar County with an 11-1 win in game two of the Class 2A first round series on April 21.
Unlike game one, when the Rebels exploded in the sixth inning, the damage was done early with five runs in the top of the first.
Cain Niece started things with a leadoff walk and scored one batter latter after an RBI by Bailey Sellers. Graham Blankenship and Carson Cummings each had base hits in the inning, as Thorsby batted around.
The Rebels followed it up with two runs in the second and three runs in the fifth that were aided by a pair of Lamar County errors with two outs.
Seven Thorsby batters drove in runs during the game.
Senior Logan Patterson started the game and had a 5-0 lead before he even took the mound, after the fast start by Thorsby offensively.
“It just gives you confidence on the mound when everyone is doing their job,” Patterson said. “Baseball is fun when it’s like that.”
Patterson did his part to ensure that the game remained in hand, as he left Lamar County mesmerized and off balance at the plate throughout the game.
He pitched a complete game one-hitter that included 12 strikeouts.
“I just live day by day and do what I need to do to help our team win,” Patterson said. “It’s all about hitting your spots.”
Thorsby excelled on the mound and at the plate during both games of its first round series and Jackson hopes that torrent pace carry them through the postseason.
According to Thorsby head coach Billy Jackson, he could see the home field advantage make a difference at several moments throughout both games in the series.
“When you have to travel on the road, a lot of times your back is already up against the wall,” Jackson said.
The Rebels will host Hatton High School, who defeated Cleveland 9-4 and 15-4, in a best of three second round series beginning at 5 p.m. on April 28.
“I’m very proud of the boys for being able to go to the second round,” Jackson said.