Defending champs top Straughn
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, April 29, 2003
Dadeville's Jordan Steele pulled a hamstring running the bases in the top of the first inning of Saturday's second-round playoff game against the Straughn Tigers.
The Dadeville pitcher, however, still managed to start the bottom of the first inning on the mound. He gave up one walk and struck out a batter as Dadeville held a 5-0 lead after one inning of play.
Dadeville, the defending Class 3A state champions, added to the lead during the next four innings for a 12-0 win in five innings against the Straughn Tigers. Three Dadeville pitchers combined their efforts to hold the Straughn batters hitless in the game.
The Dadeville pitchers allowed no hits, three walks and hit one batter during the five-inning game. They also struck out four Straughn batters. Tyler Rhodes pitched three innings for Dadeville with Trent Nolen pitching in the fifth.
The Straughn batters hit the ball, but the Dadeville players always seemed to be playing in the perfect alignment to get an out.
Dadeville's hitters found holes in the Straughn defense scoring five first-inning runs followed by three in the top of the second inning for an early 8-0 lead.
The Dadeville Tigers scored at least one run in each inning of the game en route to a 12-0 win.
Clint McKelvey did the most damage going 3-for-4 in the game with a two-run home run in the top of the second inning. He scored three runs and ended the contest with three RBIs.
Lane Perry also had a big game for Dadeville going 3-for-3 with three runs scored and one RBI.
Straughn Head Coach Mike Buckelew said Dadeville was the better team.
"We just got whipped," Buckelew said after the game. "The better team won, there's no question about that.
"I'll be surprise if they don't win it all," he added.
The loss ends the Straughn Tigers' season with a record of 23-3.