The Switzerland County High School baseball team continued its impressive season during the past week, falling to Madison in a close contest before adding a big win over New Washington.
The junior varsity team also had a good week, as it upped its record to 3-1 with a win over Milan.
– Last Monday, April 18th, the Pacer varsity fell to Madison by a final score of 3-2. Switzerland County got on the scoreboard first with a run in the bottom of the first; but Madison responded with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. After Switzerland County tied the game with a run in the bottom of the fourth, the Cubs plated a run in the top of the fifth, and then held on for the victory.
Kollin Hayes was 2-for-3 in the game with an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored; while Dalton Roark was 1-for-3 with a run scored and Zach Whitaker was also 1-for-3. Justin Johnson also had a hit in the game.
Whitaker was solid on the mound, going six innings and striking out five while allowing five hits. Only two of Madison’s three runs were earned. Matt Roland also pitched an inning, recording a strikeout.
– On Tuesday, April 19th, the jayvee Pacer team took to the field, and dismantled Milan by a final score of 17-2.
The Pacers jumped on their guests early, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first; one in the second; and then exploded for 13 runs in the third inning. Switzerland County also added a run in the fourth; but didn’t bat after that as the game was stopped after the top of the fifth due to the mercy rule.
Milan scored both of its runs in the top of the fourth.
Kyle Whitham pitched four innings for Switzerland County to earn the win, as he struck out five and allowed just three hits. Both Milan runs were earned. Tyler Konkle pitched the fifth, striking out two.
Offensively, Austin South was 2-for-4 with a triple, two runs scored, and he knocked in three; while Whitham was 2-for-2 including a double, with three runs scored and two RBI. Trystan Kielbasa was 2-for-2 with two runs scored and three RBI; Konkle was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and he had a double; Justin Chatham was 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI; Harrison Griffis was 1-for-1 with two RBI and a run scored and also had two stolen bases; and Coby Blanton had a great night, going 1-for-1 with two runs scored, three RBI, and three stolen bases.
Kaleb Harrell was 2-for-3 with two runs scored; Cade Rider was 2-for-4 with a run scored; Nate Thomas scored a run; and Tyler Perry added a stolen base.
– On Wednesday night, April 20th, the Switzerland County varsity team returned to action, and defeated New Washington by a final score of 16-5.
The Pacers got off to a blazing start, scoring 11 runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back. Switzerland County also added three more in the top of the second; and then after New Washington scored all five of its runs in the bottom of the third, Coach Chad Combs’ team added single runs in the top of the fourth and fifth to secure the win.
Roark led the way offensively in the contest, going 2-for-4 on the night with two doubles, scoring a run and knocking in four more. Hayes was a perfect 3-for-3, collected three RBI and scoring two runs. Two of his hits were doubles; and he also added two stolen bases.
Caleb Furnish was 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two runs scored and two RBI; Whitaker scored three runs and knocked in two more while also adding a stolen base; Whitham was 1-for-1 with an RBI; and Casper Stow was 1-for-3 with two runs scored and two stolen bases. Konkle was 1-for-3 with two runs scored; Johnson was 2-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBI; Chatham scored a run and had a stolen base; and Owen Wagner had an RBI and a run scored.
Roland went 2 1/3-innings striking out four and allowing two hits and two earned runs; and Furnish relieved him, going 1 2/3-innings striking out two and allowing one hit and two earned runs. South pitched the final inning, striking out two and allowing no hits or walks.
Coach Combs praised the play of Hayes following the week, with the junior going 5-for-6 with three doubles, five RBI, and five stolen bases.