Tanner Martin gives up one hit to lead ACCS to 8-1 win

Published 12:07 am Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Ben Hillyer | The Natchez Democrat — Adams County Christian School’s Tanner Martin pitches to Wilkinson County Christian School’s Luke Littleton Monday night at ACCS. Martin pitched six innings and gave up just one hit on the way to an 8-1 win over the Rams.

NATCHEZ — Adams County Christian School’s Tanner Martin was nearly unhittable Monday night as he led the Rebels to an 8-1 victory over Wilkinson County Christian Academy.

WCCA’s Hadden Patterson managed a bunt single off Martin in the first at-bat of the contest, but that was the last hit WCCA would tally off Martin, who struck out 11 Rams in six innings en route to a win.

“Tanner pitched a heck of a ball game,” ACCS head coach Hunter McKeivier said. “He was able to locate, and we stress with him to make sure you fill up the strike zone, and he did a great job.”

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Patterson came around to score after his bunt single when Tyler Skinner hit a sacrifice fly to score WCCA’s only run.

ACCS took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning when Chris Carrell and Jake Brumfield came around to score.

Carrell had a big night for the Rebel offense. He finished 2-2 with a double, a solo home run and three runs scored.

McKeivier said the Rebels put a lot of pressure on WCCA on the base paths, and that helped ACCS score its runs, but he would still like to see his team score more.

“We are hitting in spurts,” he said. “We still need more timely hits. We left a lot of runners in scoring position.”

Three WCCA pitchers combined to walk or hit 12 batters in the game, and assistant coach Phillip Cutrer said the Rams made a few mistakes that cost them.

“We walked a few too many and there were a few defensive plays we could have made that we didn’t,” Cutrer said.

The Rebels added two more runs in the bottom of the second inning to extend their lead to 4-1. Carrell’s double scored Cody Rhinehart and then Carrell came around to score on a throwing error.

The Rebels were able to blow the game open in the third inning with a three-run outburst.

Brandon Ross led the inning off with a double and came around to score on a RBI ground out by Rhinehart. Tyler Buckles tripled one batter latter to score Johnny Smith, who had walked after Ross’ double. Buckles then scored on a RBI ground out by Martin to make the score 7-1.

Carrell’s solo home run came in the fifth inning, as Martin continued to hold the Rams at bay.

Wade Simpson came into the game in the seventh inning to close the game for ACCS, who improved to 10-3-1 on the year.

Tyler Skinner took the loss for the Rams, who dropped to 1-6.

ACCS will face Brookhaven Academy tonight, and WCCA will play Amite School Center Thursday.