Newberry's Cody Shimp did just about everything he could to put his team right where they wanted to be. Shimp struck out 13 Hepburn-Lycoming batters and has given his team the chance to become district champs.
Newberry beat Hepburn Lycoming Friday night, 8-1 at Lamade Stadium and the two teams will play again today at 2 at Volunteer Stadium to declare a champion.
Newberry fans had plenty to cheer for from the beginning of the game, as Draig Ruff led off the game with a home run for the second straight game.
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Brandon Loner of Newberry tags out Hepburn Lycoming’s Owen Kiess as Newberry’s Cody Shimp backs up the play Friday night at Lamade Stadium. View additional photos at cu.sungazette.com.
Ruff did just what his team needed, provide the big play. Two batters later, Shimp hit a triple deep into the left-center gap and from there, everything clicked for Newberry.
Ethan Stryker, Brandon Loner and Damon Clark had three consecutive singles and Hunter Corbin also provided a hit in the first inning to build a 5-0 lead.
Knowing a win was needed, Newberry came ready to play and made a big statement in front of a big crowd that came to cheer them on.
Not only did Shimp keep his team ahead from the mound, he also went 2-for-3 with a double and triple.
"I knew that I had to do my thing and I guess I just shut them down." Shimp said.
Ethan Stryker made sure to take advantage of playing at Lamade Stadium as he hit a 3-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning.
"It feels really good because I just wanted to help out my team as best as I could." Stryker said.
Following his 87th pitch of the game in the top of the sixth inning, Shimp received a big round of applause. Shimp gave up one hit and walked two.
"Cody threw his best game today for us and we told him that if they hit the ball we would catch it and luckily he kept them off balance with his breaking ball and had just enough heat to blow it by them." Newberry head coach Lester Loner said.
Hepburn-Lycoming scored in the top of the first inning, as Owen Kiess reached on an error, stole a base and scored after a wild pitch.
"It was beautiful pitching and Cody threw a gem. We tried to get them ready for the fastball and we just weren't ready for that." Hepburn-Lycoming head coach Jamie Chestnut said.
Hepburn Lycoming 100 000-1 1 2
Newberry 500 300-8 9 1
Owen Kiess, Issac Snyder (1), and Wyatt Chestnut. Cody Shimp, Kyle Caringi (6), and Draig Ruff.
Top Hitters, Hepburn Lycoming: Caleb Joy 1-2. Newberry: Ethan Stryker 2-3 HR 4RBI's. Cody Shimp 2-3 2B, 3B. Draig Ruff HR.
