Laurel Hill vaporizes Atomics

LAUREL HILL – Ethan Jackson threw three innings of perfect baseball and Zeb Strickland hit two home runs as Laurel Hill opened play in District 1-1A with a 19-0 win over Poplar Springs.

The game was called in the fifth because of the 10-run rule.

The Atomics struggled from the start against Jackson who struck out the side in the first inning.

Jackson faced nine batters and struck out eight.

“I liked that Ethan threw 38 pitches in three innings, that’s efficient,” Hobo coach Ronnie Smith said. “I thought our guys hit the ball well.

“I don’t know if you can use this game as a measuring stick in any way, but it’s nice to get a district win.”

Cody Williams was the only Atomic to put the ball into play against Jackson as he grounded out to first baseman Tyler Zessin to end the second inning.

Laurel Hill (1-1, 1-0) had no problems offensively.

Every Hobo starter reached base at least two times and scored a run.

Laurel Hill scored four runs in the first inning with Strickland providing the big blow of the frame, a three-run homer.

Dalton Gordon led off the inning with a base hit and stole second and third. After a walk to Ryan Simmons, Gordon scored as Jackson was safe on an error.

Strickland followed Jackson with the first of his two home runs scoring Simmons and Jackson.

It would be more of the same and then some for the Hoboes in the second inning as Laurel Hill sent 13 batters to the plate and scored eight runs to chase Atomic starting pitcher John Wayne Forehand.

Travon Calloway’s three-run homer was the big blow of the inning as the Hoboes pounded out five hits.

The third inning followed a similar pattern to the second inning.

Eleven Laurel Hill batters went to the plate and seven Hoboes scored.

Strickland one upped his first-inning blast in the third when he cleared the bases with a grand slam homer. Strickland also drove in a run in the second inning and finished the game with eight runs batted in.

“You like it for your seniors that have worked hard, and he has worked hard,” Smith said of Strickland’s big day at the plate.

“And when your nine hole (ninth batter, Calloway) gives you a home run, that’s special too.”

Chris Korleski doubled his own pleasure in the third with two doubles in the inning.

Smith made the tough decision to pull Jackson after three despite his perfect game.

Smith was looking ahead to Friday’s district game with Bethlehem and having his senior ace available if needed to throw some key innings if it’s a tight game.

Freshman lefty Boomer Simmons threw the last two innings and struck out three batters while allowing the only Atomic hit of the game.

The Hoboes ended the day with 12 hits.

Strickland and Korleski led the way with three hits each. Gordon had two hits.