MORGANTOWN – There certainly is no I in team, and on Monday night the Trinity Christian baseball team proved that point with an all-around effort in a shortened five-inning victory over visiting Parkersburg Catholic 10-0.
The Warriors (4-2) scored their 10 runs on nine hits, with seven different batters earning a hit in the game. All 10 of the runs came by way of an RB, also from seven different batters.
“We hit the ball well tonight, Parker (Hopkins) and Brock (Shuba) both pitched well and pounded the strike zone,” TCS head coach Wes Hopkins said. “We have speed throughout the lineup and that definitely can be an advantage once we get on base.”
Parker Hopkins got the start on the mound for TCS and despite only throwing three innings, struck out every batter he faced. The freshman also had a hot bat for TCS going 2 for 2 in the game with a home run and a double.
“We have a pretty good pitching staff led by junior Will McPherson who will be pitching later this week,” Coach Hopkins said. “Having our younger pitchers come in and pound the strike zone is key to keeping pitch counts down and having efficient outings.”
Parker Hopkins started off a five-run second inning for his team with a solo shot to left field. After two batters were walked, Shuba, a sophomore, stepped up to the plate with one out and two runners on. The center fielder hit a hard shot to the outfield gap that allowed him to triple, bringing in both runs. Shuba had three RBI in the game.
Another offensive explosion came in the bottom of the fourth inning for the Warriors, pushing four runs across this time in a two-out rally. Sophomore Noah Toler led off with a double, but then two strikeouts and a walk followed. Freshman Ryan Parker then stepped up for TCS with two outs and two runners on base and delivered with a double to center, scoring both runs. Junior Carmelo Kniska then tripled, before an error stretched the lead to 9-0 before the third out came.
The final run came in the bottom of the fifth when Shuba singled to right field, scoring Will Hancox from second for his third RBI of the game.
“We are a young team and there are certainly some teaching moments in every game,” Hopkins said. “It disciplines us to be great teammates and root for the next guy up or the next play.”
The Warriors earned their fourth win of the year and will have Tuesday off before traveling for a game against Paden City on Wednesday evening.
Trinity Christian 10, Parkersburg Catholic 0
PCHS 000 00 – 0 1 1
TCS 050 41 – 10 9 0
TCS – Shuba 2 1 2 3, Tudor 1 0 0 0, Dinkel 2 1 1 1, White 1 0 0 0, Timperio 2 0 1 1, Bowers 0 1 0 0, Parker 3 1 1 2, Kniska 3 1 1 1, Hopkins 2 1 2 1, McPherson 2 1 0 0, Hancox 1 2 0 0, Toler 3 1 1 0
PCHS – McMinn 2 0 0 0, Lang 2 0 0 0, McCaughn 2 0 0 0, Dawson 2 0 1 0, DeAngelo 2 0 0 0, Hardbarger 2 0 0 0, Murphy 2 0 0 0, Barry 1 0 0 0, Westrick 1 0 0 0
2B: TC – Parker, Toler, Hopkins
3B: TC – Kniska, Shuba
HR: TC – Hopkins
WP – P Hopkins 3.0ip, 0h, 0r, 0bb, 9k; B Shuba 2.0ip, 1h, 0r, 0bb, 4k
LP – Dawson 4.1ip, 8h, 9r, 4bb, 11k
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