Pacific Post 320 used two pitchers to shut down Central in Freshmen Legion baseball action Thursday at the Pacific Youth Association field.
Pacific (7-2, 5-2) held Central to five hits over seven innings in a 9-0 victory.
“It was by far, the best game we’ve played all season,” said Post 320 Coach Matt Leary. “We executed everything. Our pitching was tremendous. We stole bases and didn’t get thrown out once. We hit the ball well and played good defense. It was a great game.”
Making his first pitching appearance of the season, Nick Hogan got the start for Post 320 and earned the win.
Hogan tossed four shutout innings, allowing no runs on two hits with no walks and six strikeouts.
“Nick has been out with an injury and hasn’t pitched in a year. He was on a 60-pitch count until he gets back to full strength,” Leary said. “I’ve been told that he’s one of our best pitchers, but I haven’t seen it until this game because he’s been out with the injury. He did a great job throwing strikes. His curveball was incredible. He really fooled four or five batters with it.”
Ryan Ray pitched the final three frames. He allowed no runs on three hits with no walks and two strikeouts.
“I was pleasantly surprised with both Nick and Ryan. We didn’t allow a walk in the game,” Leary said. “Ryan is going to be a freshman. He did a superb job coming in relief.”
Pacific scored two runs in the bottom of the second inning, five in the third, one in the fourth and one in the fifth.
Leading the offensive attack was Brett Mann, who was 3-4 at the plate with two RBIs and three stolen bases.
Ray was 2-3 at the plate (one double) with two RBIs.
Ryan Howell and Dalton Mathis both added one hit and one walk.
Bailey Watson finished with a double and a stolen base.
Randy Chitwood had one RBI. Alex Rice stole a base.
“We did a good job putting the ball in play and making things happen on the bases,” Leary said.
Pacific plays a home doubleheader Saturday against Elsberry starting at noon.
Post 320 visits St. Peters for a doubleheader Tuesday starting at 6 p.m.
“We have some big games coming up. We need to keep it going Saturday against Elsberry and then we have a huge doubleheader next week against St. Peters,” Leary said. “St. Peters is having a good season. Both us and St. Peters have two losses in the district. We’re tied for second place behind Washington. Hopefully we’ll continue to play well and win some games.”
