Pike Central took a business trip to square off against 60th District Tournament host Phelps Monday.
The Hawks were all business as they soared past Phelps for the 15-0 win in three innings.
Cory Vance
The Hawks advanced to the 60th championship against Belfry and picked up a 12-2 win over the Pirates.
Phelps came out the gates looking to score as the Hornets got bases loaded with one out, but the Hawks were able to stop the Hornets with a huge double-play to stop the threat in the top of the first inning.
In the bottom of the first inning, Pike Central plated five runs in the first inning highlighted by three straight RBI doubles by the Kaden Crum, Trever Holbrook and Lukas Varney.
Cory Vance
Phelps’ Kyler Hardin led the inning off with a double, but the Hawks locked in after that and got the next three batters to strike out to spoil the Hornets’ scoring opportunity again in the top of the second inning.
Pike Central came back in the bottom of the second inning and was able to plate two more runs on a RBI sacrifice fly by Caleb Compton and then an RBI groundout by Grey Crum to helped build a 7-0 lead after two innings of play.
The Hawks’ Jonah Hicks got the rally started with a lead off double in the bottom of the third inning which led to the Hawks scoring seven runs in the inning highlighted by a bases loaded walk off hit-by-pitch by Conner Adams.
The win by Pike Central, marked the 50th career win in Pike Central’s coach Will Ward’s coaching career.
Ward has won two of three district tournaments in his three seasons as head coach.
Kaden Crum led the Hawks at the plate going two of three with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Grey Crum was one of three at the plate with three RBIs and two runs scored. Holbrook was one of one at the plate with a double, one RBI, one run scored, and walked one time. Varney was one of three at the plate with a double, one RBI and two runs scored.
Pike Central’s Corbin Howell got the win on the mound going three innings giving up no runs on three hits, while striking out six batters, walking no batters, and hit two batters.
With the win, Pike Central’s record improved to 21-11 overall on the season. Also with the win last Thursday for the Hawks against Betsy Layne also gave Pike Central’s Coach Will Ward his first 20 win season at Pike Central.
Phelps’ Reece Norman took the loss on the mound going one and 2/3 innings giving up seven runs (three earned) on three hits, while walking three batters and striking out one batter.
Norman also led the Hornets at the plate going two for two, and Kyler Hardin was one of one at the plate with a double for Phelps.
With the loss Phelp’s season unfortunately came to an end with the Hornets ending the season with a 2-15 record overall on the season.