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By TYLER RALEY | Staff Writer

ODENVILLE – As one of the state’s best pitchers stood on the mound, the Vincent Yellow Jackets had all the confidence that they could come out on top against the St. Clair County Fighting Saints.

Luckily for Vincent, it did, defeating St. Clair County 5-0 on Friday, Feb. 21 at St. Clair County High School behind another masterful pitching performance from senior ace Aiden Poe.

After not being able to get much offensive production going in the first two innings, the Yellow Jackets decided that enough was enough in the top of the third, making some noise at the plate. Aiden Gasaway began that effort, leading the inning off with a single on a line drive to center field.

After Gasaway’s hit, Casen Fields stepped up to the plate and delivered a single of his own with a hard ground ball into left field, advancing Gasaway to second. A couple of batters later, Ethan McElrath loaded the bases up with another single on a fly ball to right field. Poe then got to the plate, drawing first blood with a two-RBI double to left field, making it 2-0.

Vincent was unable to gather any offensive insurance until the top of the fifth, trying to put in a dagger late in the game. Fields led the frame off with a single to center field, and a couple of batters later after Fields stole both second and third base, McElrath drew a walk to put runners on the corners.

Shortly after the walk, Poe made more noise, adding to his already incredible night with another double to left field that drove in one run, increasing the score to 3-0. Dakota Newton continued that energy in the next at-bat, lacing a double into right field to score both McElrath and Poe and extending the game to a 5-0 advantage for the Yellow Jackets.

The scoring ended there, as Vincent handled its business on the defensive side, being led by Poe’s performance on the mound. Three different Yellow Jackets recorded two hits on the game, putting on a show at the plate to help secure the victory.

Poe pitched all seven innings for Vincent on Friday, giving up no runs on no hits and striking out 13 Fighting Saints while walking just three on 97 total pitches, adding to his already tremendous totals on the year. He also had a multi-hit game on offense with two RBI to go along with it, showing his dominance on both sides of the ball.

Vincent was unable to carry that masterful performance into their game against the Thorsby Rebels however, falling 12-4 at home on Monday, Feb. 24, recording its first loss of the season.

The Yellow Jackets will take the field again on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at home as they take on the Munford Lions in a make-up contest from the game that was postponed on Feb. 20. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.