Just ask the North Hall Trojans.
On Monday, the Trojans captured another victory tightening its grasp on second place in Region 7-AAA with an 8-2 victory over East Hall.
Trojans' left-handed ace Corbin Lewallen paced the team throwing his second straight two-hitter in five innings Monday. The junior capped his stellar performance with seven strikeouts, one walk and two runs allowed, one earned, for the game.
"Corbin is finally healthy. Having him in our rotation adds a lot of value to our lineup. What makes him so good is he is able to minimize mistakes," Trojans coach Trent Mongero said.
Lewallen was nearly unhittable throughout the game but he only major blemish came in the third inning when East Hall's Hunter Buffington hit a soaring solo home run to center field giving East Hall its only lead of the game at 2-1. Lewallen would recover by striking out six straight batters and nine of the last 12 overall.
"Corbin is an outstanding pitcher. It's nearly impossible to defeat a pitcher like him when he is on his game," East Hall coach Wesley Crow said..
The Trojans offense gave Lewallen plenty of support. Lincoln Hewett (3-for-3, three RBI, three runs scored) blasted a three-run home run in the third inning to give the Trojans a 5-2 lead.
In the fourth inning Andrew Smith scored another run for the Trojans after smashing a single and making his way around the bases with three stolen bases, including home. Smith finished with two hits and two RBI.
The Trojans scored another run in the fifth inning when Hewett scored on when Smith was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Micah Strickland scored the Trojans final run of the game in the sixth inning. Strickland singled to left, stole second, and scored on a Stephen Murray sacrifice fly.
With the win, North Hall remains in the hunt for a postseason berth and homefield advantage in the first round, while East Hall is outside of playoff contention.
The two teams will meet again Wednesday, this time at East Hall.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/4/273548