Indians Start Season 4-0, Led by Pitching Performances

WETUMPKA, Ala- The Wetumpka baseball team has gotten off to a strong start under the second season of Coach Russ Brooks' tenure. The Indians have been effective on both offense and defense to begin the year, but the team's pitching staff has risen above.

Senior Asher Nobles began the season on the bump for the Indians in last Thursday's season opener on the road against the Tallassee Tigers. His performance set the tone for the pitching staff so far this season, going 4.2 innings into the game, allowing 4 runs (1 earned) and 5 hits, while striking out 7 and only walking 2 batters. He eventually was credited for the 10-4 win over the Tigers, his first of the season. Miller Lombardi came in for relief, finishing out the game allowing only 4 baserunners without giving up any runs. He struck out six batters in his 2.1 innings pitched.

On offense, the Indians reached a double digit run total, led in large part by the bats of Kyle Richardson and Peyton Dickey. Richardson reached base on all 5 of his plate appearances, going 3-3 at the dish and drawing 2 walks. He tallied an RBI, stolen base, and 2 runs scored. Dickey collected 2 of his 3 RBIS in a bases-clearing double in the top of the third inning. All-star catcher Logan Fawcett hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth for the Indians first of the season. The Indians defeated the Tallassee Tigers 10-4.

The following day, Friday, Feb. 20, the Indians hosted the Sylacauga Aggies in the home opener, winning 6-2. The contest was moved to the Wetumpka Sports Complex due to rain earlier in the day. Dylan Jordan got the nod for the Indians, and pitched 4 innings allowing 2 runs on 2 hits and striking out seven. Senior Owen Pyles pitched the final 3 innings in dominant fashion. He faced the minimum number of batters in the last 3 innings, walking just 1 and striking out 5. He did not allow a hit.

The leadoff hitter for the Indians, Aidan Peake, scored 2 of the 6 runs for the Indians, journeying around the bases after reaching on a walk both times. Fawcett went 2-3 at the plate, knocking in 2 runners. Dickey tallied another 2 RBIs after a single in the bottom of the third inning that saw the Indians score 4. 

The Indians finally played at Bazemore Field on Tuesday, facing off against the Tallassee Tigers for the second time in 3 games. The black and gold took the victory, yet again scoring double digits in the 10-6 win.

It was the dual threat of Connor Jacks who led the way for the Indians, going 4-4 at the plate, adding 3 RBIs and scoring 2 runs while pitching 4 innings, allowing 2 earned runs (3 total) on 4 hits and 2 strikeouts. Lombardi added up 3 total bases with an RBI double in the bottom of the fourth and an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth. Wetumpka batted around the order in the bottom of the fourth that saw the black and gold break the game wide open, scoring seven in the frame.

On Feb. 26, the Indians traveled to Troy, Ala. to play Bibb County in the first game of the Troy University Tournament. The Indians rallied to score 3 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and pick up the 7-5 win over the Choctaws. Nobles made his second start of the season, going 4.1 innings with 5 hits, 3 walks, and 5 strikeouts. 3 runs scored but only 2 were earned. Lombardi closed out the game for Wetumpka, striking out 4 with 1 earned run and no walks. 

Kyle Richardson led the charge at the plate, knocking in 5 of the Indians' 7 runs. He homered in the bottom of the fifth, scoring two, and hit a clutch 2 out, 2 RBI double to take a two run lead in the bottom of the sixth. Dickey went 2-for-2 at the plate, scoring two runs and adding an RBI to his afternoon.

The Indians will play Homewood on Friday, Feb. 27 in the second game of the Troy Tournament.