By Carl Holcomb
A trio of pitchers combined for a no-hitter and a pair of home runs catapulted the Cougars to back-to-back-to-back Class A Region II Championships in a 13-nil shutout over Tucker County in Baker.
East Hardy seniors Evan and Mason Hamilton were twin hammers sending dingers out of the park.
The Cougars no-hitter started with senior Shayne Sisler on the mound going one inning with one strikeout, then Evan Hamilton tossed three innings with 8Ks and junior Dayton Dove finished off the game with one strikeout.
“It means a lot. We work all season for this to get back to the state tournament as we have the previous two years. We hope we do some damage down there. [Keys] We came out and pitched the ball well, and we haven’t been doing that. We only gave up one or two walks. We pitched well and we got the job done at the plate whenever we needed it the most. [Home runs] That’s what we are looking for this time of year. We try to keep it routine out there. The team has their own message and how to deal with it themselves. Baseball is all about routine,” East Hardy skipper Tyler Mongold remarked.
Tucker County went down in order commencing the game as Sisler induced two groundouts and notched a strikeout.
Mason Hamilton provided a solo shot in the first inning for the Cougars initial lead off a pitch by Tucker County’s Josh Crossland.
East Hardy would load the bases as Levi Price reached on an error, Shayne Sisler was beaned and Gage Dove drew a walk, but Crossland escaped damage with a strikeout.
The Mountain Lions were retired in order again in the second frame as Evan Hamilton pitched three straight strikeouts.
East Hardy’s Patrick Mills and Evan Hamilton collected back-to-back singles, then Mason Hamilton recorded an RBI sacrifice fly.
“We’ve got to do it three times now. It is just means a lot being healthy and playing with Evan this year. It just means a lot. We probably haven’t doubled up on a meal all year, but a lot of people like to feed us,” East Hardy senior Mason Hamilton stated.
“We drink a chocolate milk before every game,” East Hardy senior Evan Hamilton added.
Price smashed an RBI triple to five the Cougars a 3-0 edge prior to a pop-out.
Hamilton pitched three strike outs and a walk in the third inning.
The Cougars loaded the bases on three consecutive free passes to Dayton Dove, Gage Dove and Brinn Childers.
Dove was caught East Hardy’s Mason Wilkins delivered an RBI sacrifice fly, then Dove was tagged out trying to dash home and was chased back.
Mills was given a walk, then Evan Hamilton crushed a three run home run to put the Cougars up 7-0.
Hamilton tossed two strike outs in the two of the fourth inning, then issued a free pass to Tucker County’s Evan Witt who would be caught stealing by catcher Dayton Dove.
The Cougars kept the momentum going as Price unleashed a double, then Sisler was hit by a pitch.
East Hardy extend the lead to 9-0 as Price scored on a balk and Dayton Dove swatted for an RBI single in center field.
East Hardy baserunner Kaden Barrett tagged up to advance to third base after replacing Dove at second base on his steal.
Brinn received a walk from Crossland, then Wilkins ripped a two-RBI double, 11-0.
Mills plated Wilkins on a sacrifice fly.
Evan Hamilton singled deep into right field and scored on Mason Hamilton’s RBI single.
Dove took the mound as the closer nothing a groundout, strikeout and flyout as the Cougars punch their state tournament ticket to Huntington next week.
The Cougars remain hungry to chow down on another state title.
