Indians shut out by Clinton-Massie
The defense of the Hillsboro Indians just keeps creeping up and causing them to allow runs at inopportune times this season, and that was the case on Monday night against the Clinton-Massie Falcons.
Hillsboro had a solid pitching effort from Jacob Helterbrand, but the Indians’ aforementioned defense didn't have their best game, leaving the Indians with a 3-0 loss to the Falcons in South Central Ohio League play.
"We just didn't hit," HHS head coach Tim Hunt said. "Tip your cap to (CM pitcher Ryan) Collett … he's good as everyone has been talking about.
"They (CM) made adjustments on Jake (Helterbrand) a little bit, but they didn't do much at the plate either. Both pitchers threw excellent."
As for the host Indians at Shaffer Park, they allowed one run in three consecutive innings, with two of the three runs being unearned in the loss.
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"Our defense hasn't played well defensively the past two weeks," Hunt said. "We aren't making the routine plays, and when you don't do that you are not going to win ball games. That's why we are sitting at 12-10 right now and 9-4 in the league.
"That’s probably why we are going to finish in second place in the league, because of our defense. We have to fix it before the tournament. We have to also learn to make adjustments at the plate as well."
The second inning saw the visiting Falcons reach base as Jared Halley forced a walk with one out and take second on an infield error. Halley moved to third on a passed ball, and he scored on a second HHS error.
CM's lead went to 2-0 in the top of the third with JT Wolf singling to left field and eventually scoring the second run of the game for CM.
The final run for the Falcons came in the fourth with Hunter Fentress rounding the bases after initially reaching the bases on a single.
Hillsboro totaled just two hits and one walk in the loss at the plate with Ryan LeMaster forcing the walk in the bottom of the fourth, Cayse Cameron singling in the fifth and Latrell Haithcock hitting a double in the bottom of the seventh.
Collett was the winning pitcher for the Falcons. He allowed no runs in his seven innings pitched, a game where he faced 26 batters. He walked one and allowed two hits. Collett also hit one batter.
HHS also had Haithcock take first on a fielder's choice in the fourth, and in the third, Jacob DeAtley reached the bases on an infield error.
The loss was charged to Jacob Helterbrand who in seven innings (29 batters faced) allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits, two walks and a hit batter. He struck out six, all coming in the first three innings as he struck out two batters in each of those innings.
HHS has three games left on their 2015 regular-season schedule, including a rematch at CM on Wednesday. HHS will host Glen Este Thursday and Milford on Friday in two non-league games.