TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pasco News

Mustangs Produce At Plate

Mitchell 7, Sunlake 0

Eric Horchy/SUNCOAST NEWS

Starting pitcher Matthew Hewitt struck out six and guided Mitchell to its 7-0 win over Sunlake Thursday night. He also collected his first winning decision this season.

ADVERTISEMENT

By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: February 21, 2008

TRINITY - TRINITY - It wasn't quite the offensive explosion Mitchell High baseball head coach Scot Wilcox desired, but it was production nonetheless.

After scoring three runs in their first two regular season games combined, seven Mustangs crossed the plate in a Thursday night shutout victory over Sunlake High.

Though clearly a step in the right direction, Mitchell hitters benefited more from Seahawk pitchers struggling to find the plate than what they actually did with the bats in their hands.

Sunlake (1-2) issued 12 free passes in six innings on the hill (11 walks and one hit batsman), while Mitchell batters hit a combined 5-for-22.

"That's our biggest obstacle so far," Wilcox said of his offenses' slow start. "It wasn't pretty, but we took advantage of the walks and some other things out there."

The other things Wilcox was referring to were Sunlake's five errors.

Mitchell (2-1) struck early and often to jumpstart the victory. All seven runs were scored in the first three innings.

Mustang catcher Zack Newman and third baseman Matthew Hart each knocked in a pair of runs during the early spurt.

With the offense still searching for consistency, Wilcox can be happy with the early-season performances displayed on the mound.

Mustang starter Matthew Hewitt used a strong outing to improve his record to 1-1. He began the game by commandingly striking out the side.

Sunlake's Sean Rogers was charged with the loss in his first decision of the year. Sophomore Michael Hebert came in during the third after Rogers walked three straight Mustangs to open the frame.

Hewitt experienced some control problems of his own in four innings pitched, but succeeded in locking it down once runners were aboard.

He struck out six, walked five and surrendered only two hits, before being replaced at the top of the fifth.

Relievers Christopher Wenstrom and Angelo Grammatas combined to close things out.

Mitchell will look to continue their defensive success and remedy their offensive woes Friday night when they travel to Gaither High for a Class 6A, District 7 showdown.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT