Cleveland bats silenced in 7-0 loss
Cleveland senior pitcher Xavier Woods is presented with a trophy from Head Coach Matthew Mitchell before the Willis game on Thursday night for recording his 200th career strikeout. The Vindicator | Jerry Michalsky
CLEVELAND — Wilis’ Austin Gaskins was one pitch away from throwing a perfect game before a single by Ryland Hamilton up the middle ended things.
Gaskins would then finish off the next hitter, and the Willis Wildkats remained in first place in district with a 7-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night at Hal McClelland Sports Complex.
Gaskins finished the night with 13 strikeouts in the win.
Xavier Woods got the start for Cleveland and pitched three innings and struck out three. Before the game, the senior was honored for recording his 200th career strikeout as an Indian.
Willis jumped out with a run in the second inning and then added two more in the third and fourth innings to lead 5-0.
For some insurance, the Wildkats added singles tallies in the sixth and seventh innings.
The Indians could not get the bats going all night, and Cleveland committed five errors defensively.
Ivan Gonzalez pitched four innings of relief and finished with two strikeouts.
District play will continue for the Indians on Friday night as they head to The Woodlands.