Redbirds shut out by Salem in a pitchers duel

by Steve Dunford 

In the last two outings, the West Frankfort Redbirds were only able to push one run across the plate, as the Salem Wildcats defeated them 2-0 in High school baseball action this afternoon.

Wildcat pitcher Max Phillips hurled a complete game, only allowing four Redbird hits, striking out three, with one walk.

Redbird starter Noah Vance was outstanding on the hill today as well.  He pitches 6 1/3 innings, only allowing two earned runs on seven base hits, striking out three and did not walk a batter.

After the Wildcats go down in order in the top of the first, the Redbirds make some noise.  Vance hits a one out double.  Catcher Peyton Overturf reaches on an error.  Archione comes into pinch run and he is gunned down trying to steal by Salem catcher Nathan Roth, who possesses a cannon. Third Baseman Jared Clark draws a walk, and WF strands two.

Salem makes some noise in the top of the second.  Centerfielder Levi Davis is hit by a pitch, Roth singles up the middle, and 3B Cole Steward hits an RBI double up against the LF field fence that was inches from being a three run homer.

Vance works his way out of the second and third, nobody out jam by fanning the next two and a pop up.

In the third Vance works his way out of trouble again.  He is facing second and third with one out after base hits from Phillips and SS Zach Consolino, and a double steal. Clark guns down Phillips on a 5-2 ground out play at the plate.  Vance gets a fly out to center on the next pitch to make the score 1-0 Salem in the middle of the third.

The middle innings both Vance and Phillps are making quick work of the opposition.  In the top of the fourth was a highlight reel play by CF Brandon Glass.  He makes a shoe string catch, that looked like a sure base hit, and fires a perfect strike into Logan Elko, doubling off the Salem runner for an 8-3 double play.

Salem puts their second run on the board as Steward doubles into the gap, RF Dylan Owens drives him in with an RBI single.  Redbird coach Michael Warren goes to his bullpen to bring in the fireballer, Brendan Johnson.  He picks up the final two outs of the inning on just four pitches.

West Frankfort makes some noise in the bottom of the seventh as RF Bruno Herrell reaches on an error.  Second basemen Bryson Dorris gets a base hit.  DH Brendan Russell grounds into a fielders choice.  Glass then grounds out, for a 2-0 Salem Final.

The Redbirds end the regular season with a 10-12 record.  They open post season play on Thursday, in the Harrisburg Class 2A regional, playing the hosts at 4:00 p.m.

Salem improves to 16-13 on the season.  They Apollo Conference school will head south again tomorrow, playing another SIRR-Ohio school, the Herrin Tigers.

BOX SCORE

2B:  Steward (2), SB:  Phillips, Consonlino, SAC:  Schuette

2B:  Vance, SB Russell

LINE SCORE