Behind the pitching and hitting of Carter McLaughlin, the Glo-Valve Service Dodgers outscored the Rotary Club Phillies 10-6 in a game called after two and a half innings because of the time limit Friday in a Pampa Optimist 11-12 Cal Ripken League contest.
McLaughlin relieved in the first inning. He allowed two hits and three earned runs. He walked three and struck out three in earning his fourth victory of the year against one loss. He was the leading hitter in the game going two for two with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Consecutive walks to Baylon Haigood, Kaden Newton, Conner Alva and Gunter Thomas and two wild pitches netted Rotary two runs in the top of the first inning. Glo-Valve came roaring back batting all 11 players in their lineup. Kale Doss walked. Nate Haynes struck out but was safe at first when the ball got by the catcher. Evan Orand contributed a run-scoring single. Gage Turner walked. McLaughlin singled home a run. Tristan Shackelford brought in a run on a groundout. Aiden Hammond walked. Stolen bases, wild pitches and passed balls added up to a 6-2 Glo-Valve lead after the first inning.
Rotary narrowed the score to a single run in the top of the second. Wesley Douglas and Haigood walked. They both scored on a double to the left field fence by Kaden Newton. Newton stole third and scored on a Glo-Valve error. Glo-Valve clung to a 6-5 lead.
Glo-Valve went back to work in the bottom of the second. Doss reached base on a catcher’s interference. He scored after two stolen bases and a wild pitch. Haynes walked and scored on a fielder’s choice, a stolen base and a wild pitch. Orand walked, stole two bases and came into score on a single by McLaughlin. McLaughlin stole second and continued into home on an attempt to catch him stealing the throw went to the centerfield fence. Glo-Valve moved ahead after two innings. 10-5.
Rotary came back in the top of the third with a walk and a stolen base by Gunter Thomas. He was brought in on a single by Evan Garrison.
Orand picked a runner off first and McLaughlin picked a runner off third for Glo-Valve’s outstanding defensive plays. McLaughlin slipped while fielding a slow grounder but threw the batter out at first from his back for another good defensive play for Glo-Valve..
Glo-Valve maintained first place in league play improving to 6-1 with three games to go in the regular season. Rotary will visit the second-place Flogistix Red Sox Friday, May 28, at 6:30 p.m.
The Pampa Optimist Youth Club is a Pampa United Way agency.
