Cathedral strings out 12 hits as it tops Vidalia 15-5 in tourney
Published 12:01 am Sunday, March 17, 2013
![Vidalia starting pitcher William Handjis, left, unloads a pitch during the Vikings’ game against Cathedral High School on Saturday afternoon. Cathedral won the contest, 15-5. (Jay Sowers \ The Natchez Democrat)](https:https://www.natchezdemocrat.com//wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2013/03/031713_Vidalia_JDS1_WEB.jpg)
Vidalia starting pitcher William Handjis, left, unloads a pitch during the Vikings’ game against Cathedral High School on Saturday afternoon. Cathedral won the contest, 15-5. (Jay Sowers \ The Natchez Democrat)
VIDALIA — Cathedral High School scored runs in every inning but the second as it ran away against Vidalia High School 15-5 Saturday evening in the Vidalia Tournament.
The Green Wave tallied 12 hits, while starter Thomas Garrity limited the Vikings to just four, as Cathedral closed out its non-region schedule with a win.
Green Wave head coach Craig Beesley said he was happy to see the bats come alive as his team gets ready for a tough regional schedule.
“We’ve been struggling stringing hits together lately, but tonight the top of the order hit really well,” Beesley said. “Hopefully with district starting Thursday, we have a little momentum we can carry into the first game of the district season.”
Vidalia head coach Kale Davis could not be reached for comment following the game.
Three runs in the top of the first inning set the tone for the Green Wave. Ty Brown scored first on a triple by Hayden Nunnery, and Nunnery scored on a fielder’s choice by Kyle Bradley. Austin Chauvin then hit a solo home run to right field, giving the Green Wave an early 3-0 lead.
Garrity started the bottom of the first strong, getting two quick outs, before running into trouble. He loaded the bases before Nate Thomas hit a three-run triple to deep right field. Thomas later came home on a wild pitch, and Vidalia was able to take the lead 4-3.
![Vidalia batter Nate Thomas collects a triple off this pitch during the first inning of the Viking's game against Cathedral on Saturday. The triple led to three Viking runs scoring. (Jay Sowers \ The Natchez Democrat)](https:https://www.natchezdemocrat.com//wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2013/03/031713_Vidalia_JDS2_WEB-150x150.jpg)
Vidalia batter Nate Thomas collects a triple off this pitch during the first inning of the Viking’s game against Cathedral on Saturday. The triple led to three Viking runs scoring. (Jay Sowers \ The Natchez Democrat)
But Cathedral took the lead for good in the top of the fourth when Bradley smashed a three-run home run and Turner Janette hit a sacrifice fly to score Garrity, giving the Green Wave a 7-4 lead. Cathedral added another run in the top of the fourth when Brown came home on a wild pitch.
Garrity, meanwhile, settled down the rest of the way to secure the win. After the rough first inning, he gave up just one unearned run the rest of the way while striking out 11 and allowing just four hits and four walks in seven innings.
“I was glad to see Thomas Garrity get some confidence back on the mound,” Beesley said of his starter, who had been struggling of late. “His control was better, and he was throwing his breaking ball for strikes, so that’s always a good sign.”
Cathedral added a run in the top of the fifth and three runs apiece in the sixth and seventh innings. Vikings starter William Handjis took the loss, going five innings and surrendering nine runs on eight hits. He also had six strikeouts, one walk and one hit batsman.
Brown, Nunnery, Bradley and Christopher White all had doubles for the Green Wave, and Nunnery added a triple. Brown went 3-for-5, Nunnery 2-for-4 and Bradley 2-for-3. Chauvin and Garrity finished 2-for-5, and White was also 2-for-3.
Cathedral (6-3) will play Tuesday at West Lincoln High School. Vidalia will play Monday at Jena High School.