Wolves maul Maumelle on no- hitter
PEARCY - He pitched extremely well, but Ryan Sinclaire wanted to be a touch better.
The incoming sophomore dominated in his last outing of Lake Hamilton’s extended high- school season Tuesday, firing a five- inning no- hitter with 11 strikeouts in a 17- 0 rout of overmatched Maumelle.
Lake Hamilton took a 13- 8 record into the nightcap,
Sinclaire wasn’t quite satisfied with his gem, stopped under the run rule, because of two walks. He retired Maumelle’s first six batters, five on strikes, before walking J. D. Bengston on a 3- 2 pitch to start the third.
“That first walk made me mad,” Sinclaire said. “That’s what I was hoping for.”
Catcher Gip Burrow threw out Bengston trying to steal, and Sinclaire recorded seven straight outs before issuing a two- out walk in the fifth. He ended the game with his last strikeout.
“Ryan did a great job,” Lake Hamilton coach Gary Curtis
said. “He’s improved as the year went on. He had a very good summer. He ( worked on) the curveball, and his velocity improved. He took advantage of the summer.”
None of the three balls Maumelle put in play reached the outfield. Sinclaire fielded a comebacker in the first, inducing a grounder to second and pop fly to shortstop in the fourth.
Senior Kyle Jessie and sophomore Gip Burrow led the offensive support, Jessie driving in four runs with a double, sacrifice fly and two- run single. Burrow went three for four, scoring three runs and driving in two. Gunner Williams also scored three times.
The Wolves had 11 hits, eight players getting at least one. Conner Lex had a two- run single, and Sinclaire, Williams, Drew Dodson, Hunter Kilby and Jake Palmer each had an RBI.
“We hit the ball when we’re supposed to. That’s what you’re supposed to do against young pitching,” Curtis said.