Zach King struck out six over 4 2/3 innings to lead Team Gold to a series-opening 2-1 win in the annual Black and Gold Series at Hawkins Field.
King was pitted against left-hander Jackson Gillis on Team Black in a pitcher’s duel for most of the day. Gillis was impressive in a tough loss as the southpaw struck out nine in 4 2/3 innings.
Team Gold took advantage of a suddenly erratic Gillis in the fifth. With two outs in a 0-0 game, first baseman Tyler Solomon roped a single up the middle. It was only the second hit Gillis allowed, and the first base runner against him since the second inning.
Garrett Blaylock followed Solomon and watched Gillis uncork three consecutive wild pitches to allow Solomon to score the game’s first run.
Team Black had scoring chances throughout the game but didn’t cash in until late. They left a pair of runners on base in the second, fourth, and fifth inning as King buckled down in crunch time.
Gold added an important insurance run in the top of the sixth. Reliever David Bates got the first two outs of the inning before the next four reached. Ethan Paul and Stephen Scott drew back-to-back walks before third baseman Alex Brewer plated Paul with a run-scoring single to right field.
The run and 2-0 lead proved important when Team Black sparked a rally in the final frame. Facing right-hander Reid Schaller, sophomore JJ Bleday singled through the right side to start the inning. Schaller struck out Connor Kaiser, but Walker Grisanti laced an RBI triple into the right-field corner to make it a 2-1 game.
Schaller locked in and struck out Harrison Ray for the second out in the inning, then sealed the win for Team Gold when Cooper Davis bounced out to short.
Brewer went 2-for-3 in the winning effort while catcher Philip Clarke was 2-for-2 with a walk for Team Black.
Game two of the Black and Gold Series is scheduled for Friday afternoon at Hawkins Field. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m. and admission is free for all fans.
