By Emma del Sol
Sam Odom pitched one of the best games he’s pitched this summer. Odom went six innings without giving up a hit and only allowing one base runner off of an error in the bottom of the first. The Waves got their first hit of the game in the sixth and only had two more after that. Odom was helped out by the phenomenal defensive performance from second by Ford Stainback. Stainback made three diving catches that prevented base hits from the Waves. The ‘Sters play their next game tomorrow night.
The ‘Sters took a two-nothing lead in the top of the fourth inning and never looked back. After Granger Studdard had a lead off walk, Jaylin Davis had a single up the middle. Bret Boswell then had a single up the middle to bring Studdard home. Cody Walker then hit a sac fly to right to bring home Davis.
In the fifth inning the ‘Sters added on one more run after Stainback led the inning off with an infield single and a stolen base. Studdard then brought him home with another single up the middle.
Odom was dealing through the first six innings. It wasn’t until the seventh inning that he allowed his second base runner of the game. After a pitch hit lead off batter Becker Sankey, Odom gave up back-to-back singles, which allowed one run to score. Those were the only two hits Odom gave up in six and two thirds innings of work. Odom struck out six and walked zero.
Matt Withrow came in to relieve Odom with two outs in the seventh inning and runners on second and third. Withrow shut down the Waves, only allowing one base runner on a single in the bottom of the ninth and striking out one. Withrow also was awarded with the save.
The ‘Sters were able to add on two more insurance runs in the top off the ninth inning. Walker led off the inning with being hit for the second time in the game. After a four pitch walk to Colt Atwood, Stainback hit the first pitch he saw for a single to right to bring home Southall, who pinch ran for Walker. With two outs and two strikes, Studdard had his second RBI single of the game, brining home Atwood, and giving the ‘Sters the 5-1 lead.
Today’s EP Players of the Game go to Sam Odom for his best pitching performance of the summer and to Ford Stainback for his defensive web gems. The ‘Sters are back in action tomorrow night against the NJCAA National Team at 6 pm CST.
