Vinton County at Nelsonville-York

Here's my story for last night's Vinton County at Nelsonville-York game. I got to see another kid throw his first career complete game, had 13 K's too, so pretty impressive. Tonight I'm going to Stewart to watch Belpre play at Federal Hocking. Federal Hocking is one of my favorite places to go and this will be the first time I will be out there this season. I get to go there tomorrow to see them play Fort Frye. Anyway, below is last night's article.


Grillo pitches strong for Vikings

NICK BROCKMAN

Special to The Messenger

NELSONVILLE - Vinton County pitcher Andy Grillo threw the best game of his young high school career on Monday night and his pitching coach did not even attend the game.

Grillo, a sophomore, threw his first career complete game and allowed just four hits as the Vinton County Vikings defeated the Nelsonville-York Buckeyes 7-1 in a Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division match-up.

After the game, when asked about his missing pitching coach, Grillo said his coach would still try to take credit for his performance.

"He will be like, 'Good game, I told you to do that after our doubleheader (Saturday),'" Grillo said. "That's what he told me. I'll have to rub it in a little bit."

By game's end on Monday Grillo had struck out 13 batters compared to one walk.

Vinton County coach Jeremy Ward said walks had been a problem during the team's four-game losing streak, but Grillo's outing helped snap the streak.

"He really gave us a chance," Ward said. "He had command of his pitches and kept them off-balance."

Many Buckeye batters were left lunging at the ball as Grillo mixed location and speed.

Grillo said it was nice to turn the tables on the opposition.

"It feels pretty good when I'm not doing it," Grillo said. "I'm the one out in front real far. It was a pretty cool feeling. It's cool to make someone else do it every once in a while."

As for Nelsonville-York, Buckeyes' coach Rocky Smathers said there was another reason his team struggled to make contact.

"We were pulling out on everything, stepping out and pulling out our heads and our shoulders," Smathers said. "We couldn't seem to correct it...It's hard to win when you strike out four innings worth."

Buckeye reliever Thomas Taggart followed starter Nick Hunter and threw effectively during 2 2-3 innings. Taggart, a freshman, faced 10 batters and struck out three Vikings while allowing one hit.

"He has nice little movement on his ball," Smathers said. "He was fairly poised out there...Eventually he'll be a nice pitcher for us."

Before Taggart entered, however, Vinton County took advantage of four Nelsonville-York errors while putting together eight hits. Viking leadoff hitter Anthony Bentley finished 3-for-3 while teammate Jon Rose went 2-for-4 with a double, triple, and three RBIs to help support Grillo.

During the game Grillo struck out multiple batters in five of seven innings, including the side in the fourth inning.

Grillo described his success after the game and said he hopes to keep his rhythm consistent.

"(I was) just keeping them on their toes, you just have to keep them guessing," he said. "Hopefully I can keep doing it throughout the season."

Vinton County 201 220 0 - 7 9 2
Nelsonville-York 010 000 0 - 1 4 5

V (4-5, 1-2): pitcher Andy Grillo, catcher Derek McManus
NY (1-5, 1-3) : pitchers Nick Hunter and Thomas Haggart (5), catcher Connor Bunting

Start: 5:07 End: 7:21

WP: Grillo LP: Hunter