Yance no-hits Springville

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, February 20, 2008

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Chelsea’s Blake Yance was known for his arm on the football field this fall, but the Hornets’ junior proved he has just as good of an arm on the baseball diamond Monday, throwing a no-hitter and earning the win over Springville, 10-0.

Yance threw five no-hit innings during the Hornets’ opening game of the Jay D. Kynerd Memorial Baseball Tournament, while also striking out five batters.

Yance was just as effective at the plate, going 2-for-3.

Blake Woo also had a big game at the plate, going 3-for-4 with three singles.

Although Chelsea dominated in the first game, the Hornets struggled at the plate in the second game as Hewitt-Trussville took the easy win, 14-2.

Chelsea’s only two runs came off a two-run blast by Morgan Williamson in the first inning.

In other boys action:

Jags earn Opening Day sweep: The Spain Park Jaguars earned a pair of victories Monday with a 9-5 win over Mountain Brook and a 4-2 decision over Thompson.

In the win over Mountain Brook, the Jags scored six runs in the bottom of the third inning and that proved to be the difference in the game.

Charlie Esskuchen led the Jags at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs, two stolen bases and a run scored.

Hunter Walker also had big as game, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.

Drew Watson picked up the win for the Jags, while Frank Mullens earned the save.

In the Jags’ (2-0) win over Thompson, Esskuchen was once again the top performer at the plate as he blasted a two-run home run in the first inning. Watson also had another big game, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Matthew Rickels earned the win for the Jags, striking out seven. Rickels allowed no runs in five innings of work.

Kevin Richardson picked up the save.

For Thompson, Corey Kimbrell was the leading hitting, going 2-for-4.

Wildcats drop opener: The Shelby County Wildcats fought the end but came up one-run short as Moody took the Opening Day victory, 6-5.

Braton Dill and Wesley Howard each had two hits to pace in the Wildcats (0-1) in the loss