Trending
MINGO JUNCTION -- The start told the story.
The Indian Creek baseball team jumped out to an early lead and did not look back en route to shutting out Cambridge, 6-0, Monday evening at Muth Field.
The first three batters all reached safely for the Redskins as the Red and Gold led 2-0 after just three batters.
"That is something we have not been doing much of lately," Indian Creek (11-3) head coach Mike Cottis said about getting runners home after they get on base. "We left a lot of guys on on Friday. It was nice to cash in early today, that's for sure."
Ty Householder and Nick Maurer were both hit by pitches to put two runners on in the bottom of the first inning, and then Landon Pownall produced a double left scoring the pair giving the hosts an early two-run advantage.
The Redskins extended their advantage to 5-0 in the third. The victors scored a pair of runs on wild pitches with the other run scoring on a sacrifice fly to right by Stan Amis.
The lead was more than enough for starting pitcher Sylus Hyde. Hyde struck out seven and walked four in his five innings of work on the mound. He was replaced in the fifth by Gavin Pownall, who pitched the rest of the game. He did not record a strikeout or issue a walk.
"Sylus threw a gem," Cottis said. "He's only a sophomore. We are excited about him. Gavin Pownall – another sophomore – came on in relief. He was around the zone, and he threw strikes."
Indian Creek added another run in the sixth.
Hunter Rusnak, who singled earlier in the game, doubled to left to start the inning, and he ended up on third on a throwing error on the play. With one out, Householder, who reached base three times, walked and Maurer reached on an error following a bunt to load the bases. Landon Pownall, who doubled twice, followed with a single scoring Rusnack increasing Indian Creek's advantage to six runs. The Redskins had the bases loaded with one out, however, they were not able to add on any more runs.
"We are making a little progress," Cottis said. "We should have cashed in more runs in the sixth. We have got young guys in the lineup, and they are still learning how to hit varsity pitching."
The hosts played a clean game defensively, while making some good plays in the field.
"We made the routine plays," Cottis said. "Caleb Bodo caught that one in the gap. That was a big play. If you make the routine plays and you throw strikes, you are going to give yourself a chance to win."
Rylee Wilson took the loss for the Bobcats (8-3). Wilson did not record a strikeout while walking two in two innings of work. He was replaced during the third inning by Konnor McIntyre. McIntyre pitched the final four innings, striking out two and walking three.
Indian Creek outhit Cambridge, 6-3.
Bodo added a single for Indian Creek.
Brayden Gregg singled twice for the Bobcats, while McIntyre recorded a single.
Thursday is the cutoff for teams to qualify for the annual OVAC Tournament. The top four teams in each class qualify for the tournament. Indian Creek entered play Monday in second place in the Class 4A standings, while Cambridge was third. St. Clairsville is ranked No. 1 in the class, while Harrison Central is fourth.
"We would could see them in the OVAC Semifinals," Cottis said. "They are a real good team. They have a big one tomorrow against St. Clairsville. We know what they are capable of doing."
The semifinals will be held Monday with the higher seed hosting.
"We have an edge every day," Cottis said asked if Monday's outcome would give his team an edge if the two teams meet again Monday. "We play with an edge every day."
Last season, the Redskins defeated the Bobcats, 11-6, in the semifinals before falling in the championship game to the Red Devils out at Edison.
Both teams are scheduled to play today at 5 p.m. on the road. Indian Creek is scheduled to play Weir, while Cambridge will play St. Clairsville.