By Michael Lindsay
The Smith County Owls wrapped up their pre-Easter schedule undefeated Friday evening with a shutout victory against Livingston Academy, 8-0.
Bennett Gammon led the Owls at the plate, going 2-3 with two runs scored while also recording the win on the mound with 2 strikeouts and 1 hit surrendered in 2 innings.
Along with Gammon, Riley Martin and Weston Vance pitched for Smith County as the trio surrendered only 4 hits while striking out 7.
“We did really well with our pitching today,” said Smith County head coach Malone Smith. “They really pounded the zone and didn’t give up free bags. Defensively, we were pretty good. Offensively, we’ve got to do better about 2-out hitting and putting the ball in play with runners in scoring position. But at the end of the day, we scored 8 runs.”
Ty Martin opened the game with a two-out single to score TJ Testa in the bottom of the first inning to give Smith County a 1-0 advantage.
The Owls went to work with two outs again in the bottom of the second as they scored three runs in the frame. Max Long and Riley Martin scored on a passed ball followed by Kylan Johnson scoring on a wild pitch to give Smith County a 4-0 lead.
Gammon scored again via error in the bottom of the fourth before Smith County posted 3 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning to take an 8-0 lead.
Weston Vance shut the door on the mound in the top of the seventh as he sat down the Wildcats in order to preserve the 8-0 Smith County victory.
Livingston Academy is scheduled to host York Institute on Monday while the 9-0 overall Owls return to District 5-2A play Monday and Tuesday as they face Watertown.
“We’ve got a big district game against Watertown here on Monday,” said Smith. “They’re going to be a good team and I’m excited for that game.”
