YSE FIle Photo
Zack Robinson likes his strikeouts like he does his eggs, donuts and packs of Coca-Cola: by the dozen. The Todd County Central High School senior fanned 12 batters during a dazzling four-hit shutout Thursday, leading the Rebels to a 1-0 victory at Metcalfe County.
In a 110-pitch effort, Robinson (3-5) overcame three walks by keeping the host Hornets on their heels most of the evening. All of the K’s came during the first six innings. In the seventh and final at-bat for Metcalfe, it took Robinson just six pitches to get a line out, fly out and ground out for a game-clinching 1-2-3 finish.
Maddux Garrett (1-5) also pitched a strong game in defeat. He nearly matched Robinson by allowing five hits, walking two and striking out seven in a complete game of his own. The difference, however, came in the top of the fourth inning, when the Rebels scratched together the lone run of the night.
The eventual game-winning sequence began after Hayden Strader delivered a one-out single on the first pitch he saw. Two batters later, sandwiched between Garrett strikeouts, Ethan Harris used another hard ground ball toward third base that managed to bring home Strader from first.
Strader (2-for-3) and Harris combined for three of Todd Central’s five hits. The other two were doubles by Robinson and Grady Reding. The balanced attack helped the Rebels earn their first on-field win since March 29. Thursday’s victory was technically the third straight for TCCHS, which registered “1-0” decisions by forfeit over Russellville on April 22 and April 23. The Panthers announced in early March that they were forfeiting the entire season.
Metcalfe County (1-16) has now lost nine straight games overall. During Thursday’s home contest, the Hornets had two runners on base in four of the seven innings, but lacked a big hit against a dominant Robinson.
Todd County Central (7-11) will complete a three-game road trip at noon Saturday against Kirkwood High School in Clarksville. The Rebels return home Monday to host rival Logan County in Elkton.
