The hot topic of this game would be the strikezone set by the plate umpire. Numerous pitches no where close to the strikezone were called strikes. Fans behind the plate said they saw balls 6-9 " off the plate called strikes. It went both ways, so at least it was equal for both teams, but this kept the offense quiet for both teams. Great day to be a pitcher.

*******Reminder to parents, trade the ice scraper for sun block *******

Edited April 12, 201511 yr by Juneball1

PREP BASEBALL: Elizabethtown returns from layoff with a vengeance

 

The Elizabethtown Panthers returned from an eight-day layoff with a vengeance after a 12-5 loss to Louisville Ballard on April 1.

 

The 10th-ranked Panthers went 3-0 in their Spring Break Classic and they did it in a variety of ways. They used the long ball in an 6-5 win over Logan County and then an opportunistic offense in an 8-3 victory over the Cougars. In its final game Saturday, Elizabethtown got an outstanding start from senior Jordan Read and played its best defensive game of the season in a 2-0 win over Boone County.

 

“We have good versatility,” senior Cody Bridges said. “One game the bats might be working, but not our defense. The next game we might have great pitching and good defense, but not our bats. Some days you’re not going to hit the ball, so you have to make adjustments.”

 

Elizabethtown (10-1) made five errors in the loss to Ballard and seven in the first game against Logan County, which prompted Coach Don Pitts to make changes. Bridges shifted from center field to first base and junior Peyton Payne moved from left to center.

 

“We got better,” Pitts said of the adjustments. “We believe we can be a good defensive team, but we had to shake things up. This was our first errorless game of the year.”

 

It helped that Read, who made his first start of the season, was in complete control. He retired seven straight before hitting junior Jake Domaschko, but senior Zech Maulden erased him when Domaschko tried to steal second. Reed retired seven more in a row until Tyler Ivasale broke up the no-hitter with an infield single to start the sixth.

 

“My main focus was making quality pitches and pitching to contact,” Read said. “I was able to locate my fastball and my curveball was good early. My main goal in a game is to be in command of the zone and trust my defense to make plays.”

 

Read, who struck out two, was aware he hadn’t allowed a hit through five innings.

 

“As a pitcher, you know,” Read said. “In the third inning when I hit that batter, I thought this is the first time I’ve had to go from the stretch. But I wasn’t worried about a no-hitter. I just wanted to help my team win.”

 

Read did exactly that.

 

In the bottom of the third, Payne singled down the left field line and moved to second on a throwing error. Senior Austin Freyberger reached on an infield single to move Payne to third and another throwing error allowed him to score. Freyberger stole second, took third on a pitch in the dirt and scored on junior Hunter Sullivan’s grounder for a 2-0 lead.

 

The Panthers managed only seven hits, including three infield singles, and scored their fewest runs in a game this season, but it was more than enough for Read.

 

“Jordan did a good job of changing speeds and hitting spots,” Pitts said. “Coach (Kevin) Swift called a good game and Jordan did a great job. With a big week ahead of us, he took a load off our staff with how he pitched.”