By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
MORTONS GAP -- Through eight contests, the Hopkins County Central baseball team amounted 29 runs, but the Storm struck for 24 during a doubleheader sweep against Community Christian on Saturday afternoon.
Senior catcher Dustin Grant led the charge with five hits and five RBIs and called two complete-game victories behind the plate as the Storm (6-4) defeated the Warriors (0-11) by scores of 11-1 and 13-3, both in six innings.
Coach Lee James said he certainly noticed a different in his players approach at the plate.
"I saw some people really loosen up at the plate and just taking swings -- I've been watching them take swings in the cage, but haven't taken them to the game situation," James said. "Today, I finally got to see that. I hope this is the kind of game that will get our offense clicking."
In the first game, the Storm scored three runs in their first four at-bats before striking for eight combined in the fifth and sixth innings to end the contest 11-1.
All three Central runs in the fifth inning came without a single hit as the Storm benefited from two errors, two walks and two sacrifices.
During the sixth, Grant and company finally ended the game. Grant and Cody Nesmith each smacked two-run hits. Nesmith's double, which dropped behind the left fielder, ended the game in walk-off fashion.
Senior catcher Dustin Grant led the charge with five hits and five RBIs and called two complete-game victories behind the plate as the Storm (6-4) defeated the Warriors (0-11) by scores of 11-1 and 13-3, both in six innings.
Coach Lee James said he certainly noticed a different in his players approach at the plate.
"I saw some people really loosen up at the plate and just taking swings -- I've been watching them take swings in the cage, but haven't taken them to the game situation," James said. "Today, I finally got to see that. I hope this is the kind of game that will get our offense clicking."
In the first game, the Storm scored three runs in their first four at-bats before striking for eight combined in the fifth and sixth innings to end the contest 11-1.
All three Central runs in the fifth inning came without a single hit as the Storm benefited from two errors, two walks and two sacrifices.
During the sixth, Grant and company finally ended the game. Grant and Cody Nesmith each smacked two-run hits. Nesmith's double, which dropped behind the left fielder, ended the game in walk-off fashion.
On the mound, Storm pitcher Will Miller cruised to a complete game and did not allow a run until the sixth. In the third inning, Miller retired three batters on three pitches.
During the second contest, it was more of the same as Central continued the hitting attack and Tyler Harris tossed another six-inning complete game in a 13-3 victory.
As in the first matchup, Storm leadoff hitter Micah Rorer caused fits for the Warrior defense with his speed and ability to threaten with the bunt. Rorer finished the day 3-for-4 with two walks, one hit by pitch, one sacrifice and seven stolen bases.
"He puts pressure on the defense every time he walks into the box," James said. "They have to come in and honor the bunt. Even when they do that it still doesn't mean they can get him out. He's probably the fastest kid I've ever coached."
Grant entered the day with just one hit on the season, but went 4-for-4 in the second matchup with Community Christian.
"I've been in a slump pretty much all year and since I hit that home run I've been hitting the ball better now," Grant said. "I'm getting my eye on the ball and started driving the ball better."
When Grant approached the plate in the sixth with his team up 8-3, he needed a home run to complete the cycle.
Grant took two big cuts to fall behind 0-2 as the feat loomed in his mind.
"I did, I think I tried too hard on that last one honestly," he said. "I tried to kill the ball."
It wasn't a home run, but Grant finally connected for a single.
Others with multi-hit games included Stephen Gordon (3-for-4), Nesmith (2-for-4), Austin Johnston (2-for-4) and Coleman Ladd (2-for-4).
With five runs in the sixth inning, Central completed the sweep in its second straight, six-inning walkoff win.
Meanwhile, Harris toss another gem for Central to spare the bullpen.
"That wasn't really the intention, but both of them kept their pitch counts down and they did a pretty good job," James said of his hurlers.
James said he's optimistic Saturday's results are a sign of his team's future success.
"We've been needing a game where we can get our confidence and get things rolling and hopefully we accomplished that today."
First game
Community Christian 000 001 - 1 4 2
Central 201 035 - 11 6 2
WP: Will Miller
LP: George Thompson
2nd game
Community Christian 010 200 - 3 4 6
Central 302 035 - 13 16 1
WP: Tyler Harris
LP: Chad Cox
During the second contest, it was more of the same as Central continued the hitting attack and Tyler Harris tossed another six-inning complete game in a 13-3 victory.
As in the first matchup, Storm leadoff hitter Micah Rorer caused fits for the Warrior defense with his speed and ability to threaten with the bunt. Rorer finished the day 3-for-4 with two walks, one hit by pitch, one sacrifice and seven stolen bases.
"He puts pressure on the defense every time he walks into the box," James said. "They have to come in and honor the bunt. Even when they do that it still doesn't mean they can get him out. He's probably the fastest kid I've ever coached."
Grant entered the day with just one hit on the season, but went 4-for-4 in the second matchup with Community Christian.
"I've been in a slump pretty much all year and since I hit that home run I've been hitting the ball better now," Grant said. "I'm getting my eye on the ball and started driving the ball better."
When Grant approached the plate in the sixth with his team up 8-3, he needed a home run to complete the cycle.
Grant took two big cuts to fall behind 0-2 as the feat loomed in his mind.
"I did, I think I tried too hard on that last one honestly," he said. "I tried to kill the ball."
It wasn't a home run, but Grant finally connected for a single.
Others with multi-hit games included Stephen Gordon (3-for-4), Nesmith (2-for-4), Austin Johnston (2-for-4) and Coleman Ladd (2-for-4).
With five runs in the sixth inning, Central completed the sweep in its second straight, six-inning walkoff win.
Meanwhile, Harris toss another gem for Central to spare the bullpen.
"That wasn't really the intention, but both of them kept their pitch counts down and they did a pretty good job," James said of his hurlers.
James said he's optimistic Saturday's results are a sign of his team's future success.
"We've been needing a game where we can get our confidence and get things rolling and hopefully we accomplished that today."
First game
Community Christian 000 001 - 1 4 2
Central 201 035 - 11 6 2
WP: Will Miller
LP: George Thompson
2nd game
Community Christian 010 200 - 3 4 6
Central 302 035 - 13 16 1
WP: Tyler Harris
LP: Chad Cox
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