Howard, Harris combine for 2-hitter on the hill

By Aviel Smolka
Published in Sports on June 6, 2018 5:51 AM

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By AVIEL SMOLKA

asmolka@newsargus.com

With the weather finally cooperating Wayne County Post 11 kept on rolling.

Using its sixth different starting lineup in as many games, Wayne County shut out Clayton Post 71, 12-0, in six innings. Post 11 improved to 5-1 on the season.

"This game was supposed to be on the schedule a couple different times, we've had to fight around the rain and scheduling but we're glad to be out here tonight," Wayne County Post 11 coach Adam Pate said.

"We came out with another lineup that scored 12 runs in another six-inning game. Our goal was to keep them off balance and never give them an edge."

Wayne County scored in double digits for the third straight game. Post 11 played aggressively all night and never let Clayton establish a rhythm.

In a dominant performance, Chance Howard -- in only five innings of work -- struck out 10 of the 18 batters he faced. Kolby Harris threw two strikeouts in the sixth.

"I pounded the strike zone to keep them off balance," Howard said. "I like to work the fastball early in the game so we can get ahead."

Wayne County stole 10 bases as a team.

Aryc Chrisman, Colby Miller, and Jack Casbarro all hit RBI singles in the second to give Wayne County a 3-0 lead.

Christian Yarbrough hit a RBI double in the third, and a RBI double in the fifth to extend Wayne County's lead to 7-0.

"I played my best and gave it my all today, it turned out pretty well for me," Yarbrough said.

With the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth inning, Luke Frederick hit a walk-off, three-RBI double to finish the 12-0 win.

Over its past three home games, Wayne County outscored its opponents 37-7.

The home field gives Post 11 extra energy.

"They enjoy it, you're right down the road, you don't have to travel, a lot of perks to being at home," Pate said. "There is a sense of being comfortable, so I think it's a good thing.

Pate hopes to carry that energy on the road.

"I hope we'll be able to score a lot of runs when we go on the road, too," Pate said. "I feel like we have a good mindset at home. Once we do start going on the road, we have to make sure we roll out there with the same mindset, being aggressive on offense and pounding the strike zone on the mound."