Hunter Whitecotton for River Radio Sports Central
CRAB ORCHARD — In a game where every pitch carried weight, the Goreville Blackcats outlasted the Crab Orchard Trojans for a 2-0 win in eight innings Friday afternoon in a tightly contested non-conference matchup.
The afternoon turned into a showcase between two standout sophomore pitchers as Goreville’s Grayson Blue and Crab Orchard’s Fisher Watts controlled the game from the mound almost from start to finish. Neither team managed to push a run across through seven innings before the Blackcats finally delivered the decisive blow in extras.
“I’m really proud of these guys today,” said Goreville head coach Shawn Tripp. “Grayson pitched an absolute gem to keep us in this ballgame which gave us an opportunity to rally and pull this one out today.”
After a scoreless stalemate, Goreville broke through in the top of the eighth inning. Lawson Land opened the frame with a single and later moved into scoring position before Lathan Parrish delivered the game-changing blow, lining a two-run double to center field to score both runners and give the Blackcats the only runs they would need.
“We’re a really young group,” said Trojan head coach Dylan Hutson. “This team has a lot of grit for their age and I keep seeing more and more positive things the later in the season we get which gives me a lot of hope for the next few years to come for this program.”
The late rally spoiled an impressive outing from Watts, who reached a major milestone during the game by recording his 100th strikeout of the season.
Watts kept Goreville hitters off balance all afternoon, repeatedly working out of trouble and piling up strikeouts in key situations before ending his day in the eighth with 12 punch outs. The Trojan sophomore escaped an early jam in the first inning after Goreville placed runners on second and third with one out, finishing the threat with a strikeout. He continued to dominate from there, carrying the shutout into the eighth inning before Goreville finally capitalized.
Blue was equally sharp for the Blackcats, turning in a complete-game shutout performance. The sophomore southpaw consistently delivered in clutch moments, striking out Crab Orchard hitters throughout the afternoon totalling nine, and walking zero.
“My curveball was really working today,” said Blue. “I was able to mix it in just about anytime I needed to but this was a great team win and I’m just happy to do my part.”
Crab Orchard nearly found its breakthrough in the seventh inning when Brayden Mausey drilled a one-out double into left field to put the winning run in scoring position. Blue answered by recording back-to-back strikeouts to end the threat and send the game into extra innings.
“I told the guys pregame that we’re gonna see their best arm and they aren’t just gonna roll over for us,” said Tripp. “Games like these only prepare us more and more for this postseason run that starts in a few weeks.”
With the win, Goreville improved to 18-2 on the season as the Blackcats continued building momentum toward the postseason. Goreville still faces several challenging matchups before the playoffs, including games against the Du Quoin Indians, Harrisburg Bulldogs and Massac County Patriots. The Blackcats return to conference action Monday against the Trico Pioneers.
Crab Orchard fell to 8-12 (4-3) overall following the loss. Despite the setback, the youthful Trojans continue to show growth throughout the season with a roster featuring just one senior and one junior. Crab Orchard closes the regular season with upcoming contests against the Johnston City Indians and Gallatin County Hawks before postseason play begins.
STATS
Goreville Batting
RBI: Parrish 2
2B: Parrish
TB: Parrish 2, Land 1, Liefer 1, Nick King 1
SB: Church 2, Land 2, Nick King 2, Blue
Pitching
Blue (W) – 8IP, 6H, 0R, 0 BB, 9 Ks
Crab Orchard Batting
2B: Mausey, Fisher Watts
TB: Mausey 2, Fisher Watts 2, Simich 1, Cameron 1, Travelstead 1, Shaw 1
Pitching
F. Watts (L) – 7.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 12 Ks
Cameron – .1 IP, 1H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
