South Central Rides Early Lead to NTC Win Over Altamont

The South Central Cougars jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and never looked back, coming away with a 5-1 win over the Altamont Indians. After a scoreless first inning, the Cougars got on the board in the top of the second, when a pair of walks and a single loaded the bases for Eli Hiestand, who laid down a successful bunt, allowing Garrett Shumate to score and giving South Central a 1-0 lead. Jordan Smith followed with a single to score Sebastian Kruger to extend the lead to 2-0, and a sacrifice fly from Luke Shumate scored Colton Tockstein, capping off the 3-run frame for the Cougars. The Indians got on the board in the bottom of the third inning when Reed Stuemke doubled, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a throwing error, cutting the deficit to 3-1. Altamont had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth when the Indians loaded the bases with two outs, but Tockstein ended the inning with a strikeout, escaping the jam. The Cougars scored a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning when courtesy runner Ben Skibinski scored on a wild pitch, and Kruger laid down a sacrifice bunt, extending the South Central lead to 5-1. Aiden Hoover pitched a scoreless bottom half in the seventh, securing the 5-1 win for the Cougars. South Central is now 6-1 on the season and 2-1 in the NTC. The Cougars will be back home on Tuesday for an NTC matchup with Neoga. The Indians are now 2-4 on the season and 2-2 in the NTC. Altamont will be on the road on Tuesday for an NTC showdown with Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City.

South Central Offense:

Luke Shumate – 1 RBI

Ben Skibinski – 1 R

Aiden Hoover – 2-4, 1 R

Aiden Strobel – 1-3

Garrett Shumate – 1-2, 1 R

Sebastian Kruger – 1 RBI, 1 R

Colton Tockstein – 2-4, 1 R

Eli Hiestand – 1-3, 1 RBI

Jordan Smith – 1-3, 1 RBI

South Central Pitching:

Colton Tockstein – 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 10 K