Two early runs by the Nation Ford Falcons were all they needed to win game three in their season series against the Catawba Ridge Copperheads.
Nation Ford won 2-0 on Saturday, April 12 to improve to 9-8 overall on the season and 6-6 in Region 3-5A. The game was played on Saturday after two days of rain pushed game three to the weekend.
Nation Ford started strong with a Cooper Mitchell single in the top of the first. He then scored later in the inning on a fielder’s choice by Simon Fernandez after a double by Alex Smith.
In the bottom of the first, Jack Shelnutt started off with getting hit by a pitch for Catawba Ridge, but was left stranded without the Copperheads being able to get him across.
Nation Ford kept things moving in the second inning with a two out single by Justin Brink and then an RBI double from starting pitcher Ben Chuttey to put the Falcons up 2-0.
Catawba Ridge replaced starter Zach McMahon on the mound in the second inning after giving up two runs on five hits, as Quinn Clouden came in for relief.
In the bottom of the third, Tyler Causey led the inning off with a single for the Copperheads, followed by another single from Ian Babcock. However, Nation Ford was able to get out of the inning without allowing a run.
Nation Ford started the top of the fourth inning with a walk to Cole MacIntyre and then Chuttey was also hit by a pitch to put runners on the corners, but like the Copperheads, were unable to scratch a run across.
Britton Nash walked to open the bottom of the fourth before Nation Ford replaced Chuttey on the mound after the walk. Chuttey went three innings allowing two hits and a walk with four strikeouts. Carter Powell came in for relief and walked Ethan Solnick, but was able to get out of the inning with three strikeouts snuffing out a Copperheads rally.
After an uneventful fifth inning, Clouden was replaced in the top of the sixth inning for the Copperheads. He pitched well going three and a third inning without allowing a hit or a run, while walking two and striking out four. Clouden was replaced with Alex Downes, who was able to get through the innings allowing just a walk.
Bryce Meil beat out an infield single for Catawba Ridge with two outs in the sixth inning. Solnick then walked to put two runners on for the Copperheads, but Powell was able to get out of the inning again without allowing a run.
Pitching continues to be the theme of the game as both squads would allow base runners, but defensively each team was solid in the field.
Powell closed the game out for Nation Ford pitching the final four innings allowing a hit and two walks while striking out nine.
Catawba Ridge had just three hits in the game, while the Falcons managed five. No one player from either team had more than one hit.
The Copperheads dropped to 10-7-1 overall and 7-5 in Region 3-5A. The Copperheads open a three-game series against Rock Hill next week, while Nation Ford has a three-game series against Clover.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
