Guaranteeing themselves at least a tie for the top seed in the 13th District Tournament, the Logan County Cougars shut out Russellville 8-0 Tuesday in a Clash of the Baseball Cats at Kelly Russell Field.
Sophomore Ethan Smock pitched a jewel, allowing the Panthers only one hit and one walk while striking out eight Panthers. The only other two RHS batters to reach base was hit by a pitch and reached on an error. Two-thirds of Smock’s 92 pitches were strikes.
Junior catcher Jackson Campbell led the Cougar offense with two hits, including a triple. He drove in three runs. He tripled for an RBI in the first inning and then singled in Michael Riley and Austin Rayno during a four-run third inning. Third Bell scored during the inning.
The final three runs scored in the fifth inning. Kaleb Justice doubled in Bradley Taylor and Campbell, and then Dylan Penick singled in Taylor.
Justice and Taylor doubled and singled in the game. Rayno and Campbell got the only two walks given up by Panther pitching.
Each team made only one error.
T.K. Hampton got the only hit Smock allowed, and he also drew the only walk. Block Cleary reached on the error, and Dillon Porter was the Panther hit by a pitch.
Jordon Blick and Jesus Zamarripa were the first two pitchers Coach Blake Crabtree sent to the mound. Hampton added to his good game by pitching the final two scoreless innings.
Coach Ethan Meguiar’s Cougars ran their record to a region’s best 18-5. The Panthers fell to 3-12. It was the fourth time they have been shut out. They are averaging scoring 2.2 runs per game.
Now 5-0 in the district, the Cougars will play visiting Franklin-Simpson (4-1 in the district) next Tuesday. An LCHS win would mean a sweep of the district, but if Franklin wins, they will be tied at the top.