Vols shut out Mustangs
Starkville Academy used an all-around dominant performance to pick up a much-needed district win over Pillow Academy 7-0 on Wednesday night.
Tanner Mckee pitched a complete game for the Volunteers with seven strikeouts, giving up no runs and seven hits while walking only three batters.
Starkville Academy head coach Tyler Poole was impressed with the rising star's determination and continued success.
“We throw him in the toughest games every single week, and he wants that,” Poole said. “He embraces that competition and that challenge and he just attacks.”
The Vols got off to an early 1-0 lead despite having no hits until the fifth inning. In the bottom of the second, Mckee and Creed Pierce drew walks. Mckee was able to advance to second and then third base on a few wild pitches from Pillow starting pitcher Benz Porter before coming home on a sacrifice fly by Kade Waltmon.
Mckee's early run helped the home team tremendously, but his biggest moment of the game came in the top of the fifth inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, the starter caught Mustangs' designated hitter Clayton Goss looking to prevent the visitors from putting a crooked number on the scoreboard.
The chill in the air could have played a factor in the slow start by Starkville Academy on offense, but as night fell, the bats began to heat up. The Vols added a pair of runs in the fifth inning to extend their lead to 3-0. Senior Wyatt Hedges got the first hit of the night with a double, and pinch-hitter Miller Shy walked and added a stolen base.
Freshman Brennan Templeton drove home the runs with a double that bounced down the left-field line.
After another scoreless frame from Mckee and his