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Red Devils Blank Bulldogs

Mark Pinson, Highlands Today

Avon Park's Buddy Duke threw a complete game to earn the win against Frostproof on Friday night.

By MARK PINSON

Highlands Today

Published: March 22, 2009

FROSTPROOF - Getting healthy at the right time.

Senior left-hander Buddy Duke, who has been battling a hamstring injury, tossed a complete-game four-hitter and had an RBI single to lead Avon Park over Frostproof by a score of 6-0 in high school baseball action on Friday night.

"Buddy did a good job of throwing strikes and letting his defense help him out," said Avon Park coach Mort Jackson. "He's finally getting healthy and that's a good thing to see.

"We played error-free and swung the bats pretty well."

The non-district win improved the Red Devils to 3-9 on the season.

Avon Park senior slugger Kyle Jackson, who has been out with a number of injuries, was able to play two innings at first base and had one at-bat against the Bulldogs.

"Kyle still isn't a hundred percent," said Coach Jackson. "But he's feeling better and we were able to get him on the field for a couple of innings of defense and an at-bat."

Duke, who limited the Bulldogs to four hits, knocked in the first run of the game to set the tone for the Red Devils.

"Buddy threw a complete game on 93 pitches," said the Red Devil skipper. "We didn't have that many hits, but we took advantage of a bunch of walks and some errors to score runs and that's what good teams do."

Avon Park hosts Hardee in a Class 4A-District 10 game on Tuesday at Head Field, the Red Devils are home against LaBelle on Thursday and travel to district rival Braden River on Friday.

"We've got a lot baseball this week and we need to keep playing hard and execute," said Coach Jackson. "It's good to be getting some players back, but we have to keep improving with each game we play."

Mark Pinson can be reached a 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com

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