Legion's Burchett quiets Baxter batters

Michael Watkins delivers a pitch for Post 23 in the second game of a doubleheader against Baxter Saturday afternoon. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Jordan Burchett threw a complete game shutout and Connor Tracy provided the offense for the Post 23 Senior Legion team in a 3-0 win in the first game of a doubleheader against visiting Baxter on Saturday.

Shaq Thompson led off the first with a solid base hit and Michael Watkins moved him over with a ground ball. Thompson scored the first run of the game on an error by the Baxter pitcher.

The home team struck again in the second when Tyler Vannatta got things going with a single and Will Trice followed with a base on balls.

Both runners advanced to scoring position on a ground ball out before Tracy lined a base hit into center field to make the score 3-0.

Burchett made the score stand up by striking out three and walking just two in five innings of work. He allowed just five hits in the contest.

Thompson and Vannatta shared game honors with two hits apiece.

Baxter 11, Shelbyville 5: Baxter rung up 10 hits in five innings against four different Post 23 pitchers to win the nightcap and earn a split.

Thompson led off in the same fashion as the first game, with a base hit, and came around to score on a Philip Heikinen single to give the home host team a brief 1-0 lead.

Baxter scored four in the second and five in the third to take control of the game but not before Shelbyville made a run at them in the third inning.

Vannatta led off the frame with a walk and Burchett doubled him home. Jeremy Estill, Will Trice and Zach Hill followed with hits good for four runs. but it was their last rally.

Thompson started on the mound for Shelbyville and was followed by Heikinen, Trice and Watkins.

Trice had three hits to lead the Post 23 offensive effort.

TUESDAY

Shelbyville 4, Gallatin Post 17 3: J.T. Nelson scored the winning run in the ninth inning with help from a single by Trice.

Shelbyville drew first blood, talking a 1-0 lead early before Gallatin charged to a 3-1 lead by the fifth inning.

A double by Chase Dial and single from Josh Brown led to both scoring as Trice came through with a single.

Dial added a single to finish as Shelbyville's leading hitter.

Nelson was on the mound through seven innings with Dial relieving in the eighth.

Shelbyville 5, Gallatin Post 17 2: Brown tossed a complete-game two-hitter for Shelbyville.

Shelbyville scored a run in the second inning, three in the third and another in the fifth.

Sam Davis tripled and singled to lead Shelbyville at the plate.