Aces combine for 24 strikeouts; Shifflett perfect through 19 batters
By Randy Arrington
LURAY, April 25 — Not only did Connor Hilliard record 13 strikeouts in a complete-game, shutout victory on the hill… the Luray junior also recorded the Bulldogs’ only hit and scored the game’s only run, as Luray edged out rival Page County, 1-0, in a Bull Run District matchup on Friday afternoon.
Page County senior Tyler Shifflett was perfect from the mound through six-and-one-third innings. However, the final three batters he faced produced the only hit he gave up, the only batter he hit, and the only error (throwing) committed by the Panthers.
Friday afternoon’s pitcher’s duel between these two rivals produced a total of 24 strikeouts, and no walks. Several dramatic plays were well executed on the infield, and no fielding errors were committed by either team (although there were a couple of errant throws). At one point, Hilliard struck out seven consecutive batters, while Shifflett recorded 10 total KO’s for the game. However, Shifflett sat down the first 19 batters he faced before giving up a single to Hilliard in the bottom of the seventh.
The Panthers had their biggest success at the plate in their first at-bat. Page picked up two hits and a hit batter to load the bases, before Hilliard came back to whiff three straight batters and get out of the inning. Page left one runner stranded in the second and seventh innings, but only recorded five hits on the day.
Luray never got a runner to first base until Hilliard belted a solid shot to left field with one out in the top of the seventh. Trey Guzy then got hit on top of the helmet to give the Bulldogs their second base runner of the day. Then when junior Landon Wood seemingly hit a double-play ball to the shortstop, the rivalry game seemed destined for extra innings. However, after the pitch to second recorded the second out, the throw to first was wide, which allowed Hilliard to score from third — game over.
Hilliard lead Luray at the plate, going 1-for-3. On the mound, he went the distance for seven innings to pick up the win, allowing no runs in a shutout performance. He allowed five hits, while striking out 13 and walking none. He did hit one batter.
Junior Caden Combs lead the Panthers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and single. Combs nearly scored a run in the fifth, but was tagged out on the third base line when he tried to stretch out an overthrow by the Bulldogs. Shifflett, along with sophomores Grant Baugher and Jayden Taylor, all went 1-for-3 at the plate.
Shifflett also threw a complete game on the mound, allowing only one earned run, one hit and one hit batter, while striking out 10 and walking none.
Up next, Page County (1-6, 2-10) now travels to Stuarts Draft at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 28 and to Central of Woodstock at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29; before coming home Thursday to host Clarke. The Panthers defeated Stuarts Draft, 13-8, on March 20.
With the win, Luray breaks a three-game losing streak and moves to 2-3 in the Bull Run and 5-6 overall. On Monday, they travel to Clarke for a 5 p.m. game. Then on Tuesday, it’s a 6:30 p.m. start at Madison.
For schedules, rosters and results, check the Bull Run District website.
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