Tigers Top Red Devils

Palmetto junior Jacob Wilson showed the difference between a thrower and a pitcher in Friday night's Class 4A-District 10 baseball game against Avon Park.

The crafty right-hander struck out 11, allowed only four hits and also had an RBI single to lead the Tigers to a 4-1 win over the Red Devils at Head Field.

"Wilson is the best pitcher we've faced this season," said Avon Park coach Mort Jackson. "We've faced guys that threw harder, but this guy was a pitcher.

"He made us swing the bats and you just tip your hat to him and keep working hard to get better."

The win improved Palmetto to 7-2 overall and 6-1 in district play, while the loss dropped Avon Park to 0-7.

Red Devil junior Dylan Heiring pitched well in defeat, as the left-hander scattered four hits, struck out four and allowed four walks.

"That's the second start in a row that Dylan has pitched well," said Jackson. "He got tired in the last inning and gave up a couple of runs, but he gave us a solid effort and kept us in the game.

"I'm pleased with our defense because that's two games in a row that we haven't made an error and that's good to see, but we've got to get the bats going and start scoring some runs."

Palmetto opened the scoring in the top of the first inning when Grandon Gortzman drew a leadoff walk, stole second base and scored on Wilson's two-out single to left field to take a 1-0 lead.

The Tigers tacked on a run in the third inning when Kevin Schappacher walked, moved to second on a fielder's choice and trotted home on Gortzman's single to center field.

Avon Park answered in the bottom of the frame.

Catcher Chad Marley blooped a leadoff single down the right-field line, Shevas Hicks had an infield single and Jeff Falis was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs.

Kyle Jackson's ground ball took a bad hop off the forehead of Palmettto's first baseman to score a run to trim the Red Devil deficit to 2-1.

But designated hitter Buddy Duke's hot smash was gloved by the Tiger second baseman who threw to first base to end the threat

Avon Park had runners in scoring position in the fifth and sixth innings, but Wilson was able to wriggle out of the jams to keep Palmetto on top.

Heiring, who got stronger as the game progressed, finally tired in the final inning and was touched for RBI singles by Brandon Forest and Nick Nolting.

"It took me a little while to get settled in tonight," Heiring said. "I got in a good groove in the middle of the game, but got a little tired toward the end.

"I just need to work on my conditioning and keep getting my pitch count up so I can finish strong."

Avon Park mounted one last rally in the bottom of the seventh inning when Marley singled, but the Tigers turned a ground ball into a double play and Wilson fanned the last Red Devil hitter to seal the win.

"We made a few changes at catcher, shortstop and third and our defense was much improved," said Coach Jackson. "It's starting to come together defensively, but we need to start swinging the bats.

"I'm proud of the guys because they battled and fought hard all game against a good team."

Avon Park is back on the diamond with a road game on Thursday at DeSoto and the Red Devils host district opponent Sarasota Booker at 7 p.m. on Friday.