For six innings on Monday, Todd County Central and hosts Clinton County were locked in a scoreless pitcher’s duel before things unraveled for the Rebels in a 5-0 defeat in their opening round game of the All A Classic 4th Region baseball tournament.
Caleb Thrasher was lights out on the mound for Clinton County, allowing only three baserunners over seven innings to earn the win. Todd Central’s Conner Wheeler matched him pitch for pitch before running into trouble in the seventh and giving way to Tommy Van Beber.
Two walks and a single by Ty Jolly was it for the Rebels, but Wheeler didn’t allow a Clinton County runner past first base until the top of the fifth. However, two singles and a hit by pitch loaded the bases to start the seventh, and the Bulldogs took the lead on a Rebel error. Another error, one of five for Todd Central, allowed two more runs, and Clinton County pushed two more across on a walk and a fielder’s choice.
Thrasher retired the Rebels in order in the bottom of the seventh to earn his second win. He has struck out 23 batters over 11 innings this season while allowing no runs and only two hits.
Wheeler was a hard-luck loser after allowing five runs, four earned, on five hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
Todd Central slipped to 2-1 ahead of a trip to Butler County on Tuesday. The Rebels have lost the last 10 in the series with the Bears with the last meeting coming in 2019.
All photos – Kassity Boor
