The Greenwood Gators moved back to .500 on the season, after blanking the #16 South Warren Spartans by a 3-0 final.
In what was the ultimate pitchers duel, only two innings saw scoring. The first run of the game came in the top of the fourth, when Gator center fielder Al Hardin was hit by a pitch, and advanced to second base on a wild pitch, moved to third after a ground out by Nick Sanders, and swiped home after another wild pitch thrown by Spartan starter Cam Shyrock.
The next two runs came in the top of the seventh, and proved to be huge insurance runs for Jason Jaggers squad. The Gators loaded the bases with one out when John Halcomb singled up the middle to bring home Tyler Sago, and Drew Hayles grounded into a fielders choice to Spartan second baseman Grant Noble, who opted to go home with the throw, but it would go wide and pull catcher Jacob Lewis off of home plate to score Bryce Spalding.
Gators starter Michael Justice went the distance, allowing five hits and striking out three, working himself in and out of jams, never allowing more than two base runners on at a time.
Despite allowing the three runs, Shyrock pitched well, giving up just two hits and walking a batter on his way to strike out seven Gators. To begin the game, Shyrock struck out six of the first 10 batters he faced, but arm fatigue played a huge factor in the back stretch of his outing, and only struck out one in his final 14 batters faced.
The Gators are back in action tomorrow at the Swamp, moving up the game originally scheduled for Thursday to tomorrow, in order to make up last night’s rained out game on Thursday at South Warren.
First pitch tomorrow is set for 7 p.m, and you can hear the call on GoGatorsNation.com
