BAKER — Crestview High School’s Jeremy Willis and Colter Hancock teamed up to throw a three-hit shutout Tuesday as the Bulldog baseball team beat Baker 6-0.
Crestview (2-1) got off to a quick start scoring three runs in the first inning against Gator starting pitcher Tom Crowson.
Crowson struggled to find the strike zone as he walked Crestview’s first two batters, Zach Degraaf and Austin Polk. He then hit Corey Armstrong with a pitch to load the bases for cleanup hitter Devin Wimmer.
Wimmer delivered a base hit scoring Degraaf and Polk and moving Armstrong to third base. Armstrong scored as Hancock grounded out.
A walk to Matt French marked the end of Crowson’s night. Baker Coach Adam Henry called on Gabe Nelson to shut down the Bulldogs and Nelson did just that.
Nelson struck out Dayne Justice and B.A. Larkins to end the inning.
“I thought we had some opportunities we let get away from us,” Crestview Coach Tim Gillis said. “We didn’t swing the bats real good top to bottom. We hit too many balls in the air, but it’s good to get a win.
“I thought Baker made some nice plays that kept us from adding on some runs. I think they are pretty athletic and they have a chance to be pretty good. I’m proud that we won the game, but there’s room for improvement in all kinds of areas.”
The score remained 3-0 until the fifth inning when Crestview scored two runs. Hancock and French singled. Larkins doubled to score the two runs.
Crestview’s final run came in the sixth inning.
Degraaf led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Polk. He stole third base and scored on an infield out by Armstrong.
Willis and Hancock didn’t give the Baker (1-2) offense many opportunities.
Willis started the game and had a no-hitter through four innings. Baker’s only base runner, Austin Davis, drew a walk to lead off the inning. Davis advanced to third base before being thrown out on a pickoff play.
The Gators finally touched Willis for a couple of hits in the fifth inning when Dakota Blackburn and Bubba Ellis singled.
Willis worked five innings on the mound for Crestview striking out eight while allowing one walk and two hits.
Hancock worked the final two innings allowing a hit to Logan Rickmon, a walk and striking out one.
Nelson worked 6 2/3 innings and allowed three hits and struck out five Bulldog batters.
French had two hits for Crestview. Degraaf walked three times and scored two runs.
“Gabe came in and did well for us,” Gator Coach Adam Henry said. “This is the first game he has played since coming from basketball. Our defense looked pretty good.
“We just have to put the ball in play. After the first inning we looked a lot better. We have to hit the ball better, that’s our main thing.”
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview shuts out Baker