Billy Moran pitched six great innings, including a three-up, three-down, three strikeout sixth inning that wowed the crowd. Moran shut out Baker County Friday, March 3, 4-0.

“I felt like Billy Moran was as dominant in that game as any pitcher that has ever pitched here,” Coach Ronnie Gray said. “He struckout 15 in six innings of work and struckout the side in four of the six innings. Billy was exceptional and he not only had a great mental approach but he had his good stuff. We need those type of efforts from our pitchers if we want to compete for the district title.”

Dog bats came alive in the bottom of the third when Ross Aretino tripled. It was a good hit for Aretino but the extra base came from good old-fashioned hustle. And the hustle had Aretino on third so he could score off an infield single by Moran.

The score after three was 1-0 Dogs and stayed that way until the bottom of the fifth. Moran singled and stole second base. Rheed Baldwin singled and earned an extra base when the Baker second baseman overthrew first base and the ball sailed into the dugout. Moran scored to make it 2-0. Then Matt Yanossy smacked a huge home run over the center field fence scoring Baldwin to make the score 4-0.

“Yanossy’s homerun was huge and was exactly the distance we needed,” Gray said. “That was big hit for Matt and for our team. He battled the lefthander all night and the pitcher won the previous three at bats and Matt won the last one.”

Moran came out in the top of the sixth and threw three strikeouts. The crowd cheered as the Dogs came out on the field for their last up. Baker pulled a new pitcher to the mound.

Nick Reppert came in to relieve Moran in the seventh, gave up one hit and struck out two. With the win, the Dogs added another district win to their total. Suwannee is now 3-0 in district play.

“It was a good game and I knew it would be,” said Coach Ronnie Gray. “Our players responded well in that environment as they usually do, and I was glad to see that. Baker has a good club and they will be difficult to beat at their place when we play in April.”