By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
DAWSON SPRINGS - Less than 24 hours after arriving in Hopkins County, the Tradewater's newest pitcher Dustin Williams tossed seven no-hit innings to lead the Pirates against the Fulton Railroaders.
Williams walked five and hit two batters but overcame those struggles by striking out 11 and not allowing a hit in his K.I.T. League debut. Tradewater's offense provided the pitching staff with plenty of support as the Pirates (3-2) claimed a 6-2 victory.
Manager Brandon Kitch said he liked how the Pirates swung the bats, but expects even more as the season progresses.
"We saw a lot better things today and it's only going to get better as far as the offense goes," Kitch said.
"We're not scoring enough runs for me.
"I'm used to 10 and 12 runs."
In the first, Williams started strong with back-to-back strikeouts to begin a 1-2-3 inning. Williams retired the Railroaders (3-2) in order again in the third and fifth innings, but ran into some control problems during the seventh.
Williams walked five and hit two batters but overcame those struggles by striking out 11 and not allowing a hit in his K.I.T. League debut. Tradewater's offense provided the pitching staff with plenty of support as the Pirates (3-2) claimed a 6-2 victory.
Manager Brandon Kitch said he liked how the Pirates swung the bats, but expects even more as the season progresses.
"We saw a lot better things today and it's only going to get better as far as the offense goes," Kitch said.
"We're not scoring enough runs for me.
"I'm used to 10 and 12 runs."
In the first, Williams started strong with back-to-back strikeouts to begin a 1-2-3 inning. Williams retired the Railroaders (3-2) in order again in the third and fifth innings, but ran into some control problems during the seventh.
With a 5-0 lead in hand, Williams began the top of the seventh by hitting the first two Fulton batters in the middle of the back. A pair of wild pitches allowed the lead runner to score and the second run of the inning came on an RBI ground-out.
"I think I just got a little tired, started losing my legs and started trying to do too much," Williams said after the game.
Despite the runs, Williams still had not allowed a hit, but Kitch opted to bring in reliever James Rechenbach for the eighth because of Williams' high pitch count.
Kitch, who has seen Williams pitch before, said he knew it was time to remove the pitcher despite his success.
"He gets a little emotional sometimes and once he starts getting emotional, he begins losing control and losing focus," Kitch said.
"He got his feet wet tonight and now he knows what to expect the rest of the year. He's got great stuff."
Rechenbach retired the first two batters he faced before surrendering back-to-back singles. The next batter grounded into a fielder's choice, however, to end the threat.
Christian Stutts entered in the ninth and faced four batters to earn the save.
Offensively, the Pirates struck early with a run in the first via a Beau Faulk RBI ground-out. Neither team scored again until the fifth when Tradewater plated four runs to take a commanding 5-0 advantage.
During the fifth, four Pirates reached before Fulton recorded an out. The inning's first run came on a bases-loaded walk. Another scored on a 6-4-3 double play. Leadoff hitter Sean Mahley followed with an RBI single to center and eventually scored by advancing three times on three separate wild pitches.
Center fielder Matt Presley provided the game's final run in the eighth inning on a sacrifice fly.
Tradewater's Joe Halley tallied the team's lone multi-hit game going 2-for-2.
The Pirates return to action 7 p.m. Thursday to play host to the defemding K.I.T. League champion Owensboro Oilers.
Tradewater visits Owensboro Friday.
Fulton (3-2) 000 000 200 - 6 7 1
Tradewater (3-2) 100 040 01X - 2 2 0
WP: Dustin Williams
LP: Nick Holmes
S: Christian Stutts
"I think I just got a little tired, started losing my legs and started trying to do too much," Williams said after the game.
Despite the runs, Williams still had not allowed a hit, but Kitch opted to bring in reliever James Rechenbach for the eighth because of Williams' high pitch count.
Kitch, who has seen Williams pitch before, said he knew it was time to remove the pitcher despite his success.
"He gets a little emotional sometimes and once he starts getting emotional, he begins losing control and losing focus," Kitch said.
"He got his feet wet tonight and now he knows what to expect the rest of the year. He's got great stuff."
Rechenbach retired the first two batters he faced before surrendering back-to-back singles. The next batter grounded into a fielder's choice, however, to end the threat.
Christian Stutts entered in the ninth and faced four batters to earn the save.
Offensively, the Pirates struck early with a run in the first via a Beau Faulk RBI ground-out. Neither team scored again until the fifth when Tradewater plated four runs to take a commanding 5-0 advantage.
During the fifth, four Pirates reached before Fulton recorded an out. The inning's first run came on a bases-loaded walk. Another scored on a 6-4-3 double play. Leadoff hitter Sean Mahley followed with an RBI single to center and eventually scored by advancing three times on three separate wild pitches.
Center fielder Matt Presley provided the game's final run in the eighth inning on a sacrifice fly.
Tradewater's Joe Halley tallied the team's lone multi-hit game going 2-for-2.
The Pirates return to action 7 p.m. Thursday to play host to the defemding K.I.T. League champion Owensboro Oilers.
Tradewater visits Owensboro Friday.
Fulton (3-2) 000 000 200 - 6 7 1
Tradewater (3-2) 100 040 01X - 2 2 0
WP: Dustin Williams
LP: Nick Holmes
S: Christian Stutts
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