YSE File Photo
In one of the most dominant season-opening performances on record, Webster County High School junior Jace Thurby struck out 16 batters Tuesday and led the Trojans to a 7-0 home win over Fort Campbell.
Thurby (1-0), who allowed just two hits and one walk in the victory, recorded nearly half the number of strikeouts he had all last season during the seven-inning shutout in Dixon. Of his 92 pitches, 62 were strikes. Thurby struck out the side in order to start the game, then had three other innings where all three outs came via the K.
Eighth-grade third baseman Micah Austin led an efficient offense that scored seven times on eight hits. Austin went 2-for-2 with one of the Trojans’ two doubles. He also scored twice and drew a walk. Freshman Brock Parker recorded his lone hit and lone RBI with a sharp run-scoring single in the bottom of the second inning, giving WCHS (1-0) its first and final lead.
Aiden Blaszkowski (0-1) did strike out nine in 5 2/3 innings as the Fort Campbell starting pitcher, but also surrendered eight hits and six runs (five earned) to take the loss. Angel Garcia worked the final half inning in relief.
Patrick Hays delivered a one-out single in the top of the fourth — one of two FCHS base hits during the defeat — but was eventually stranded at third after Thurby struck out Robert Dennis to end the frame. Ethan Egner also had a one-out single in the sixth, but was dealt the same fate.
Fort Campbell (0-1) will waste no time beginning 8th District play on March 18, when the Falcons host Christian County (2-0) in their 2022 home opener.
