Just because Landon Smelser didn’t get a hit doesn’t mean he didn’t deliver arguably the most important at-bat for Science Hill Monday night.
Jackson Berry rewarded him two batters later, and the Hilltoppers had little trouble after their explosive third inning. Science Hill took sole possession of first place in the Big Four Conference with its 11-4 win over Dobyns-Bennett at TVA Credit Union Ballpark.
Facing a 1-2 count against D-B southpaw Cam Hayworth, Smelser kept extending his at-bat, fouling off three balls before eventually drawing a walk on the ninth pitch, giving Science Hill (16-6, 4-1 District 1-4A) two men on base in a scoreless tie.
Sam Lane’s ensuing bunt loaded the bases with one out. And then came Berry, who lined a payoff pitch to center field and cleared the bases for a 3-0 lead. Berry then made it 4-0 on Josh Marmo's two-out base hit.
“That was huge,” Science Hill coach Ryan Edwards said. “There were so many different things in that big inning I was proud of.”
Major Osbolt’s two-out single drove in two more runs in the fourth to make it 8-0, and Austin Denham sent home another run in the fifth, helping the Hilltoppers go ahead 11-2.
NOAH’S NIGHT
Senior right-hander Noah Hazell pitched 4 2/3 innings to get the win, striking out one and going four innings without a hit. Not bad for his first start against D-B (14-3, 3-2), after working his way into Science Hill’s starting district rotation this year.
“He’s stepped right into the role I told him,” Edwards said. “I told him I want him to throw 50 to 60 innings this year and just go out there and give us quality starts.”
The coach also praised sophomore Caden Wells for staying composed even when the Indians tried to rally. Wells struck out five in relief, giving up two hits and two walks.
Nate Stoots doubled and finished 2-for-4, while Lane and Lucas Dye added two hits and two runs apiece.
TOO MANY MISTAKES
Hayworth struck out six while allowing seven hits, but only five of Science Hill’s runs were earned. Three walks and six errors doomed the Tribe.
“We’ve got to have a better mindset and be tough, that’s all there is to it,” D-B coach Ryan Wagner said. “I don’t think we swung too bad to be honest. We hit some hard balls early at them and had some good approaches late … we have to be better against good teams.”
Maddox Martin and Kasey Carter drove in runs with their two-out hits in the fifth to make it 8-2, before Mason Barnett and Will Ritz hit back-to-back RBI doubles in the sixth. But Wells struck out the next four batters he faced to end the comeback.
UP NEXT
The teams meet again Tuesday at J. Fred Johnson Stadium, with first pitch at 6 p.m.
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