Fast start triggers HSV romp

SHERIDAN — Held to three runs in its last four games, Hot Springs Village found its groove offensively in Saturday’s American Legion baseball matchup against Bryant.

HSV erupted for 11 hits, four for extra bases, in a 12-1 romp in the final game of Sheridan’s annual wood-bat tournament.

“We didn’t swing at junk today and we were more aggressive at the plate,” HSV coach Clint Turner said. “We were jumping on pitches early in the count after watching first pitch strikes go by in the last few games.”

Seven HSV players had at least one hit, Corban Stenson with two singles and a stolen base from the No. 9 spot.

“Once you get a couple hits, it does start to flow through the rest of the lineup,” said Turner. “Everybody catches on and they all start to build some confidence at the plate.”

HSV quickly jumped Bryant starter Noah Easterling as Dalton McClard, Dylan Anderson and Weston Buchanon each drove in a first-inning run.

Bryant struck back in the bottom half before Kirk Shildgen took over on the mound. After leadoff batter Zach Collins singled and later scored on an error, Shildgen limited Bryant to one hit the rest of the game.

The left-hander finished with eight strikeouts and four walks in five innings.

“Kirk was great on the mound for us; today was by far the best performance we’ve had all season,”

Turner said. “We’ve had some great pitching and some great defense, but to get the offense rolling, too, really made today stand out.”

HSV broke the game open with seven runs to stretch its lead to 10-1 after three innings, Anderson and Shildgen each with a two-run triple.

Anderson finished a home run shy of the cycle in four plate appearances, driving in five runs and stealing a base in the top of the first.

“It gives confidence to the other guys, because they know he’s going to drive them in,” said Turner. “He’s a good hitter, and he was ready to play today after missing last night’s game.”

Anderson’s RBI single in the fifth set the final margin after Shildgen retired the side to enact the mercy rule. Easterling suffered the loss with eight runs allowed on six hits in 1 2/3 innings, walking four and striking out two.

Montana Carden had an RBI single for HSV while Jeremiah Storey singled and walked in three plate appearances. Collins singled, walked and stole one base in two at-bats for Bryant.

HSV hosts Haskell Harmony Grove in a doubleheader beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

“I think this game can turn into some momentum for us moving forward,” Turner said. “It’s unfortunate that it took us this long to start peaking, but I believe we’re there now. The defense has been coming along and the offense is following now, so we’re on the upswing.”