Braxton Messer throws a pitch to home plate in a game against Scott on April 10 at William Tootie Carter Field. Messer threw his first career no-hitter Monday night against Tug Valley (File photo by Bill Lusk/WVOW Sports).
Bill Lusk | WVOW Sports
MAN Braxton Messer tossed a five-inning no-hitter, striking out 15 and walking two as Man, ranked seventh in Class A, defeated Tug Valley, 12-0, Monday night at William Tootie Carter Field.
Messer was in complete control from the first pitch as he retired the first eight hitters in the Tug Valley lineup, striking out seven of the first eight he faced, and didn’t allow a baserunner until issuing a two-out walk to Ashton Ashton-Smith in the third inning.
Zachary Hall drew a fifth inning walk for Tug Valley, who had just four players put the ball in play against Messer.
Messer needed just 70 pitches, 45 of them strikes, to throw his first career no-hitter, and also went 2-for-3 at the plate for the Hillbillies.
While Messer was getting it done on the mound for the Hillbillies, John McCoy had a career night at the plate for Man, going 3-for-3 with a double, a two-run home run, three runs and five RBIs.
McCoy had a two-run single in the first inning, hit a two-run home run in the second and drove in a run with a double in the fifth inning.
Kaden Dickerson was 2-for-2 with two RBIs, Bo Thompson went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, three runs and one RBI and Cam Gerace 2-for-3 with one RBI to help fuel Man’s 14-hit attack Monday. Luke Haney was 1-for-3 with one RBI.
Conner Lackey lasted only two innings, giving up eight runs – four earned – on 10 hits. He struck out one in defeat for Tug Valley.
Hunter Gibson was 1-for-3 with two runs and Jace Adkins went 1-for-2 with one run for Man.
Man (11-8) swept the season series from Tug Valley (6-13). The Hillbillies are undefeated against Class A Region 4 Section 1 competition and remain in contention for the top seed in the sectional tournament.