The Switzerland County Pacer baseball had a busy week with three conference games, traveling to South Ripley and Rising Sun before returning home against Milan.
On Wednesday, May 3rd the Pacer baseball team lost on a road trip to South Ripley, 6-3.
After struggling with their offense early in the game; the Pacers finally were in position to score in the fourth inning. With two outs, Kris Hetrick singled and Matt Wegman reached base on an error. Both runners were then able to score when Cody Peters doubled.
The only other Pacer run came in the seventh inning, when T. J. Sefton was walked and Tyler May was hit by a pitch. Kris Hetrick’s ground ball was then mishandled by the South Ripley shortstop, allowing T. J. Sefton to score.
Kris Hetrick had a run and a hit for the game; Cody Peters had two hits and finished with two RBI. T. J. Sefton and Matt Wegman each had a run; while Zach Getz and Bryan Levell each finished with a hit.
Tyler May pitched six innings and had five strikeouts; while Cody Peters had an inning pitched with one strikeout.
“We left too many runners in scoring position because we are not aggressive at the plate. We struck out nine times — five of those were looking,” coach Shannon Barger said. “Our guys have to step up and get a big hit.”
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The Pacer baseball team bounced back and earned a 6-0 win at Rising Sun on Friday, May 5th.
Scoring for the Pacers began in the third inning when Bryan Levell reached base on an error and Travis Webster was walked. A hit by T. J. Sefton scored both runners. T.J. Sefton then stole second base, and was then able to score on Tyler May’s single.
Pinch runner Ryan Peters then stole second base and scored on a single by Kris Hetrick.
In the fifth inning, Bryan Levell reached on an error and then stole second. He then scored on a double by Tyler May.
Matt Wegman led off the sixth inning with a single and was replaced by pinch runner Michael Otter; who then stole second base and scored on a single by Zach Getz.
Tyler May had three hits and two RBI for the game; while Bryan Levell finished with two runs scored. T. J. Sefton had a run and a hit and also finished with two RBI. Travis Webster had one hit and scored one run; while Ryan Peters and Michael Otter each had a run scored. Kris Hetrick, Cody Peters and Zach Getz each had a hit.
Pitching seven innings for the game was Cody Peters, who had 12 strikeouts and allowed only two walks.
“Cody Peters was almost unhittable; he gave up three hits, but only one was a solid single; he struck out 12 and was in command the whole way,” coach Shannon Barger said.
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This past Monday, the Pacers beat Milan at home by a score of 6-2.
The scoring got started early, as Matt Wegman and Cody Peters each singled in the second inning. A fielder’s choice put runners on first and third; and a single by Bryan Levell scored Matt Wegman.
Tyler May singled in the third inning and was replaced by pinch runner Ryan Peters — who then stole second base. Kris Hetrick walked, and a wild pitch moved the runners. Ryan Peters then scored on a fielder’s choice by Matt Wegman; and Kris Hetrick scored on a fielder’s choice by Zach Getz.
Bryan Levell’s solo home run accounted for another Switzerland County run in the fourth inning.
In the fifth, Cody Peters was walked and Zach Getz reached base on an error. Michael Otter then sacrificed the runners to second and third; and Cody Peters scored on an error by the Indians’ first baseman. Zach Getz was also able to score on an error by the Milan catcher.
“We played just good enough to win,” Coach Barger said. “We had zero enthusiasm and it showed. We need to adjust our own expectations and realize that we are pretty good and that we can win a lot of games if we are focused, excited to play, and ready to dominate.”
Bryan Levell had one run, two hits and two RBI; while Zach Getz finished with a run and an RBI. Cody Peters and Matt Wegman each had a run and a hit; while Travis Webster and Tyler May each had a hit. Ryan Peters and Kris Hetrick each finished with a run scored each.
Tyler May pitched the seven innings in the game, recording 12 strikeouts and allowing only three walks.
The Pacers will return to action tomorrow (Friday), at home against South Decatur. Starting time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.