MARION – A pair of outstanding pitching performances paced the Whitko baseball team to two wins at Marion Saturday.
Ethan Nicodemus and Tanner Gaff each had complete game victories on the hill as the Wildcats took the twin bill 6-0 and 12-2.
Nicodemus got the Wildcats going in the opener. He fired a three-hitterr with two walks and seven strikeouts in the shutout.
Austin Sturgess led the offense by going 2-4 with a double and an RBI. Zach Snep was also 2-4 with an RBI and a stolen base.
Gaff notched the win in the nightcap as Whitko scored in every inning of the five-inning win. Gaff allowed five hits, while walking one and striking out six.
Garr also went 2-2 at the plate with a pair of doubles and two runs scored. Sturgess was 2-3 with a double and two runs scored and Hunter Sroufe was 2-3 with an RBI and a run.
“We played pretty well today,” said Whitko coach Erik Hisner in an email. “Outside of a few minor defensive lapses, and a slow start offensively in game one, I am really pleased with our execution, especially this early in the season.”
“In game one, Ethan gave us a great start on the bump. He set the tone early with his competitiveness and was able to work ahead and mix his pitches. At the plate, Austin Sturgess had a key hit in the third with an RBI double at a time when we were struggling to string together quality at-bats.”
“In game two, I thought our approach and execution at the plate was much better. Our kids were much more disciplined, and I really liked the improvement they made in their approach with runners on base, especially in scoring situations. On the mound, Tanner Gaff threw the ball very well. After a rough first inning, he settled down and really commanded the strike zone with all three of his pitches.”
Whitko now stands at 3-0 on the season. Marion drops to 0-3.
The Wildcats return to action April 15 by hosting Wawasee.
