Lakers earn TRC win

Shakamak pounded out 12 hits as the Laker baseball team opened play in the Tri-River Conference with a 11-1 victory over visiting North Central Monday. The game was halted with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning via the 10-run rule.

"Even though we lost at Owen Valley Saturday (10-9 in 11 innings), we have really started to hit the ball much better lately," said Shakamak baseball coach Matt Fougerousse. "We had 18 hits against Owen Valley and 12 more tonight.

"Our younger kids are finally starting to get a few more varsity at bats, which is going to help us down the road. We went a week between games and just haven't been able to play a lot of back-to-back games because of the weather. Even though you don't want to lose, I think we can learn from the loss and get better."

T.J. Hill was the winning pitcher against North Central. In six innings, he fanned six and walked two. He allowed one earned run and three hits, picking up his first win in three decisions.

"T.J. did a good job tonight," said Fougerousse.

On offense, John Smith and Scott McNabb each went 2-for-4 with one RBI.

Billy Newton had two hits, including a double. Hill helped his own cause with two hits, including a two-bagger, and four RBIs.

Tyler Sparks had a base hit and drove in the go-ahead run with a ground out in the third.

Cory Deschamp also had two hits and two RBIs.

Drew Gambill added a base hit and drove in one run.

In the wild loss to Owen Valley, Smith went 6-for-7 with a double and five singles.

Deschamp had two hits and Tyler Sparks contributed three singles and one RBI.

Tyler Grissom added a base hit and drove in one run.

Hill had two hits and one RBI and Newton doubled.

"We hit the ball well, but left 17 runners on base," said Fougerousse. "Every time we would get ahead, Owen Valley would come back. You have to give them credit for the way they responded."

Sparks was the losing pitcher. Jarred VanHorn was the starting pitcher but he had to leave the game with a pulled muscle in his neck, according to Fougerousse.

On Friday at home against North Daviess, the Lakers opened defense of their Southwestern Indiana Athletic Conference championship with a 4-2 victory over the Cougars.

Tyler Richardson pitched the first five innings, but did not receive a decision as the score was tied 2-2 when he left the game after five innings.

He struck out the first 10 batters he faced. He had 13 Ks overall.

Smith pitched two shutout frames to earn his first victory.

Newton had a two-run single in the fifth and Richardson added a single for the Lakers.

Sparks scored what proved to be the winning run on a passed ball.

"I wish Tyler could have gotten the win. He pitched a heck of a game," said Fougerousse.

On Thursday, Northview defeated the Lakers 9-6.

Newton went 3-for-4 with a three-run homer and a double. VanHorn was 1-for-4 with a double and one RBI.

Hill suffered the loss.

The Lakers will play at 6 p.m. Tuesday in a varsity-only game at Terre Haute South.

North Central 010 000 -- 1 3 2

Shakamak 011 315 -- 11 12 0

Two outs when game ended via 10-run rule

Storm Lindsay, Josh Lindsay (4) and Josh Lindsay, Bean (4); T.J. Hill and John Smith. W -- Hill, 1-2. 2B -- Bean (N), Newton (S), Hill (S).