South Central Hands Rams First Loss

            South  Central downed visiting Greene Central 6-0 on Wednesday, March 12^th in varsity baseball.

            Greene Central dropped to 4-1 overall with the loss.   The Rams will open Eastern Plains Conference play on Tuesday, April 1^st at North Pitt at 7:00 p.m.

            "We had a couple of opportunities early in the game to do some damage, but we couldn't get the hit we needed to get over the hump.   South Central did a good job of taking advantage of every opportunity they had," said GCHS head coach Scott Jones.

            South Central's Tony Puglisi limited the Rams to just three hits in the contest.   He walked five and hit a batter, but struck out two.   His defense also helped out with two inning ending double plays.

            Junior Jasper Jones took the loss on the mound for Greene Central.   He pitched three innings, allowing three hits, one run, and struck out one.

            "Jasper pitched well today.   He needs to learn how to keep his pitch count down so he can go longer in games," said Coach Jones.

            Senior Scott Murphy pitched one and a third innings for the Rams, allowing four hits and four runs (two earned).   Junior Michael Speedy finished up on the mound, pitching one and two-thirds innings while allowing two hits, one run, and one walk.

            The Rams appeared to be headed towards a great day at the plate when junior center fielder Michael Speedy and junior catcher Alex Brann led off the game with singles, but there would be no more hits until the sixth inning.   A ground out to short stop and a double play allowed South Central to escape unscathed in the opening frame.

            Greene Central threatened again in the top of the second inning when senior left fielder Ryan Letchworth and junior third baseman Stephen McDonald drew back to back walks, but another ground ball to the shortstop ended the threat.

            South Central pushed across the only run it would ultimately need in the bottom of the third inning.   Pitcher Tony Puglisi led off the inning with a single and was sacrificed to second by left fielder Heath Glidewell.    Second baseman Tanner Lovick plated Puglisi with a base hit to center field.

            The Falcons extended their advantage to 3-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning on a double by Zach Starcher, an error, and a single by Tony Puglisi.

            South Central pushed across its final three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, thanks to a single by Tanner Lovick, a double by Gavin Mizelle, a walk, and an error.

            Senior first baseman Chris Leggett singled for the Rams with one out in the top of the sixth inning, but he was stranded by a popup to the second baseman and a fly ball to center field.