February 16, 2008

Gill cages Hawks in Picayune's 11-1 win

by Carey Meitzler

KILN--Picayune jumped on top 6-0 in the first inning and junior righthander Hunter Gill turned in a solid pitching performance

for the Maroon Tide in their 11-1 five inning win over Hancock.

Gill singled to left and moved to second base when the left fielder bobbled the ball.  Courtesy runner Eric Smith moved

to third on a balk.  Evan Nichelson singled to score Smith.  Jared Bales followed with a single and was replaced by

courtesy runner Matt Archer.  Brandon Jurich singled to score Nichelson for a 2-0 lead.  T.J. House singled to right

scoring Archer and Jurich.  Jake Martinez reached on a fielder's choice.   After two fly outs, Brett Milner laced a

double to right center to bring home House and Martinez for a 6-0 lead.

Photo by Carey Meitzler     Additional photos by Jill Lee (Click Here)

Jared Bales singles against Hancock as Head Coach Cayne Stockstill (18) looks on from the dugout.

Photo by Carey Meitzler  

Hunter Gill releases a pitch in his two hitter performance as Brandon Jurich (right) is ready at third.

Picayune scored a run in the third when Jacob Riser reached on an error by the shortstop that allowed Jake Martinez

to score.

In the top of the fourth, Martinez singled in Matt Archer who was running for Bales who had reached on a fielder's choice. 

Garrett Williams drove a pitch into deep left field for a double that pushed across two more runs for a 10-0 lead.

Picayune scored its final run in the top of the fifth when Bales slapped a double to right center that one-hopped the wall. 

Archer came on to run for Bales and scored on House's sharp single to center.

Photo by Jill Lee

Jared Bales gets ready to "frame" a pitch from Hunter Gill.

Gill, who got steady defense behind him including a textbook 4-6-3 double play from Riser to Bryce Ladner to Nichelson

and several nice plays by Riser and Ladner, kept the Hawks in check until they scored a single run in the bottom of the fifth.

Gill threw just 55 total pitches, allowed only 2 hits, struck out five, and walked just one batter.

Picayune (2-0) will play in the Barry Harper Dodge Invitational at Pearl River Community College on Monday at 5:00pm

against perennial power Oak Grove.

Photo by Carey Meitzler  

Jacob Riser relays a throw to third base attempting to retire a Hawk runner.

Photo by Carey Meitzler  

T.J. House drives a pitch toward left field.

Photo by Carey Meitzler  

Evan Nichelson (9) holds a runner at first base in the 5th inning while Bryce Ladner looks

on from shortstop (center).