Lee Academy’s baseball team evened up its record at 4-4 with a 4-2 victory at home against Pillow Academy last week.
Ryan Mooney pitched the first six innings giving up two earned runs, while recording four strikeouts and giving up one walk in the win. He threw 89 pitches.
Graydon Gullick pitched the seventh inning for the save. He gave up no runs and one walk while recording one strikeout.
“He (Mooney) pitched really well. The pitch count went a little high toward the end so we went with Graydon at the end,” said Colts coach Brock McKnight. “They pitched extremely well. I’m really proud of both of them.”
When a pitch got away in the top of the seventh inning, a Pillow Academy runner attempted to score, but Lee catcher Jackson Spinks tagged him out.
“We made the plays when we had to,” McKnight said. “Big time play at the end there. Great job by Jackson Spinks to be able to block the ball and keep it close and give us a shot. It went really well for us.”
Lee lost 6-5 at Pillow Academy three days prior to the victory.
“We lost to them by one run on Monday,” McKnight said. “It feels good to come back and play really well and give us a shot to win tonight.
“We pitched a lot better tonight, had a better approach at the plate tonight. We knew our game plan going forward and it worked out well for us.”
The game was tied 2-2 with Lee batting in the bottom of the fifth when Russell Cook doubled on a 2-1 count, scoring one run.
Andrew Williamson and Cook each had two hits for Lee in the win.
Spinks and Aidan Byrd had the other hits.
McKnight said the key to the Colts getting more hits as the season progresses is keeping their approach from the plate.
“Don’t let the moment get too big from us and just do what we do,” McKnight said.
The Colts began a nine-day layoff after the win.
“I feel really good about us right now,” McKnight said. “Going into spring break, it feels good to be where we’re at. We’ve played some really good competition, some really good teams. That’s a really good Pillow Academy team over there, so I’m excited about where we’re at.”
Lee is scheduled to host Tunica Academy at 2 p.m. Saturday.
“We’re going to practice towards the end of the week,” McKnight said. “I’m going to let them enjoy their spring break the first few days and we’ll get right back at it.”
