Danville’s offense is still a work in progress, but the Admirals made some progress in the early innings Saturday.
The Admirals got all but one of their hits in the first three innings, producing all the runs they would need to defeat Rockcastle County 5-2 at Admiral Field.
They bounced back at the plate after getting only two hits Thursday in a win over Mercer County, but coach Paul Morse said he wanted to see them swing the bats for seven innings the way they did for three.
“We got seven of our eight hits in the first three innings, and then it seemed like we kind of thought the game was 10 to 1 instead of 5 to 1,” Morse said.
A two-run single by Rhodes Bell highlighted the biggest inning for 14th-ranked Danville (6-0), a three-run first. And the Admirals racked up more runs in that inning than their four pitchers allowed Rockcastle (2-2) all afternoon.
Austin Baxter, Tanner Goodman, Tyler Beldon and Andrew Lasure combined to hold the Rockets to one earned run and six hits and help set the Admirals’ pitching staff up for a week in which they will play five games in six days, including their first 45th District games of the season Tuesday against Garrard County and Thursday against Boyle County.
“We had everybody get an inning or two of work in to get ready for a big week next week,” Morse said.
Starter Baxter allowed one run on three hits and struck out four batters but left after three innings and thus did not qualify for the win. Goodman allowed one unearned run on one hit in two innings, and Beldon and Lasure each pitched a scoreless inning.
“I’m pleased with our pitching. I’ve been pleased with it all spring,” Morse said.
In the first inning, Danville set the table for Bell when Rob Caudill was hit by a pitch and Mason Stamm and Lasure followed with singles to load the bases. After Bell’s single made it 2-0, Nick Serey drove in one more run with a sacrifice fly.
The Admirals added a run in the second inning when Stamm hit a home run to right field and another in the third when Caudill drew a bases-loaded walk.
Singles by Serey and Baxter helped load the bases in the third, but the Admirals left the bases loaded in that inning and didn’t get another hit after the fourth inning.
Rockcastle starter Boone Saylor allowed all five Danville runs and all eight of its hits, and reliever Tyler Parsons pitched two scoreless, hitless innings for the Rockets.
Danville has had six or more hits in five of its six games, but Morse said he realized early on that offense might not be this team’s strong suit.
“Offensively, I don’t think we’re going to score a ton of runs. We’re going to rely on pitching and defense and we’re going to have to manufacture some runs,” he said.
Rockcastle County 010 010 0 — 2 5 0
Danville 311 000 x — 5 8 6
Boone Saylor, Tyler Parsons (5) and Tyler Smith. Austin Baxter, Tanner Goodman, Tyler Beldon (6), Andrew Lasure (7) and Lasure, Will Graham (7). W—Goodman. L—Saylor. S—Lasure. HR—Mason Stamm (D).
The Admirals got all but one of their hits in the first three innings, producing all the runs they would need to defeat Rockcastle County 5-2 at Admiral Field.
They bounced back at the plate after getting only two hits Thursday in a win over Mercer County, but coach Paul Morse said he wanted to see them swing the bats for seven innings the way they did for three.
“We got seven of our eight hits in the first three innings, and then it seemed like we kind of thought the game was 10 to 1 instead of 5 to 1,” Morse said.
A two-run single by Rhodes Bell highlighted the biggest inning for 14th-ranked Danville (6-0), a three-run first. And the Admirals racked up more runs in that inning than their four pitchers allowed Rockcastle (2-2) all afternoon.
Austin Baxter, Tanner Goodman, Tyler Beldon and Andrew Lasure combined to hold the Rockets to one earned run and six hits and help set the Admirals’ pitching staff up for a week in which they will play five games in six days, including their first 45th District games of the season Tuesday against Garrard County and Thursday against Boyle County.
“We had everybody get an inning or two of work in to get ready for a big week next week,” Morse said.
Starter Baxter allowed one run on three hits and struck out four batters but left after three innings and thus did not qualify for the win. Goodman allowed one unearned run on one hit in two innings, and Beldon and Lasure each pitched a scoreless inning.
“I’m pleased with our pitching. I’ve been pleased with it all spring,” Morse said.
In the first inning, Danville set the table for Bell when Rob Caudill was hit by a pitch and Mason Stamm and Lasure followed with singles to load the bases. After Bell’s single made it 2-0, Nick Serey drove in one more run with a sacrifice fly.
The Admirals added a run in the second inning when Stamm hit a home run to right field and another in the third when Caudill drew a bases-loaded walk.
Singles by Serey and Baxter helped load the bases in the third, but the Admirals left the bases loaded in that inning and didn’t get another hit after the fourth inning.
Rockcastle starter Boone Saylor allowed all five Danville runs and all eight of its hits, and reliever Tyler Parsons pitched two scoreless, hitless innings for the Rockets.
Danville has had six or more hits in five of its six games, but Morse said he realized early on that offense might not be this team’s strong suit.
“Offensively, I don’t think we’re going to score a ton of runs. We’re going to rely on pitching and defense and we’re going to have to manufacture some runs,” he said.
Rockcastle County 010 010 0 — 2 5 0
Danville 311 000 x — 5 8 6
Boone Saylor, Tyler Parsons (5) and Tyler Smith. Austin Baxter, Tanner Goodman, Tyler Beldon (6), Andrew Lasure (7) and Lasure, Will Graham (7). W—Goodman. L—Saylor. S—Lasure. HR—Mason Stamm (D).
