Post 23's Jordan Burchett flames a strike to the plate. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Jordan Burchett looked like a young man with cruel intentions as he cork-screwed his frame, wagged his tongue and fired strike after strike for Shelbyville Senior American Legion Post 23.

The left-hander totaled 10 strikeouts in only five innings of work to guide his team to an 11-4 victory in the first half of a doubleheader sweep over the Middle Tennessee Mudcats at Central High on Wednesday.

Burchett was tagged for a pair of doubles and two runs in the first inning before he settled into his groove. The former Webb standout didn't give up another hit until the fourth and allowed a total of five base knocks.

Shamichael Black and Stephon Ransom sandwiched singles around a Drew Turner walk to give Shelbyville a quick start in the bottom of the first as they tied the game at 2-all.

A Turner triple, doubles from Bryant Prater and Connor Tracy, a single by Hunter Bates and both a double and a single from Black in the third inning resulted in six runs.

Post 23 finished with a total of 12 hits, with a third of those coming from Black, who wound up with two doubles and two singles.

Robert Haggerty was the losing pitcher.

Shelbyville 8, Middle Tennessee 1: Black picked up right where he left off in the second game of the double-dip. The infielder from Motlow State singled, doubled and tripled to guide Post 23's hitting attack that gathered together 13 hits.

Leading 3-1, Shelbyville sent eight men to the dish and piled on four scores to their advantage thanks in part to hits from Burchett, Black, Turner and Justin Brewer.

Post 23 pitcher Drew Owen had all the support he needed and then some. The lefty scattered seven hits over seven frames and K'd seven.

Turner, Burchett, Bryan Sharp and Ben Jones all notched a pair of base hits.

Corey Mullins singled twice for the Mudcats. MoMo Stewart went four innings on the mound in the loss.

Shelbyville is back at home later today against Donelson American Legion Post 88. The doubleheader is scheduled for 6.