Clayton baseball squad tops South Johnston for a 3-0 week
Clayton’s baseball team completed an undefeated week while South Johnston remained winless Friday afternoon as the Comets jumped ahead early and defeated the Trojans,C 9-2.
Both teams were consistent in their three games during the week. South fell behind 4-0 early all three games, which the Trojans all lost. Meanwhile, for the week, Clayton looked good at the plate, netting 33 hits and going deep on the mound, with eight pitchers pitching well in the three wins for coach Stacey Houser.
Friday, the first six Comets batter reached base as they led 4-0 after one inning. Clayton stretched the lead to 6-0 before South scored two in the fifth. Clayton first baseman Brooks Vernon hit a two-run homer in the sixth to widen the margin to 9-2.
“We’ve had tough breaks early in all three games and fallen behind,” South coach Aaron Parnell said. “The good thing is we played through the rough starts, and the guys are learning every time out.”
What worked
Clayton got 19 hits in the first two games and wrapped out 14 more against the Trojans. “”I’m tickled with our approach at the plate,” Houser said. “We’re staying back, hitting to the opposite field, and pulling the ball when the opportunity is there. And today we played solid defense, too.”
Three to know
Brooks Vernon, Clayton: The big senior went four for four with three singles, a two-run homer and five runs batted in. “I got the perfect pitch to pull for the home run. The first three times up I hit to the opposite field, just trying to get the runs in. We did a good job of that,” Vernon said.
Trevor Allen, South Johnston: The junior lefty came in with his team down 5-0 and held the Comets to just one run over 2 2/3 innings. “Trevor has thrown the ball well for us twice this week and gotten us out of some jams,” coach Parnell said.
Drew Boumenot, Clayton: The senior, a three-year starter for the Comets, went three for three with a walk and made a couple of good plays in the field at second base.
They said it
“We don’t have any superstars on this team, but collectively this can be a good team,” Houser said.
By the numbers
3: The number of hits given up Clayon pitchers Mason Medlin (2 in 4 innings) and John Parrish (1 in 3).
8: Coach Houser used eight pitchers in the three games this week, with Zeke Urias, Tyler Tutthill, and Medlin the top three starters. “It was nice to get the wins, but the big thing this week was pitching these guys with a 60-pitch limit and we got a good look at all eight guys.”
This story was originally published March 5, 2016 at 2:09 PM with the headline "Clayton baseball squad tops South Johnston for a 3-0 week."