Sincoff hurls complete game shutout in Athens' victory over Meigs

POMEROY - Athens baseball just simply refuses to lose these days.

Following the team’s 10-run loss to Unioto on opening day, a switch completely flipped for the Bulldogs. Since then, Athens (9-1, 3-0 Tri-Valley Conference-Ohio) has rattled off nine straight victories now, averaging nearly 11 runs-per-game as the team continues to bash with the bats. The latest victory came way of a 5-0 shutout victory over Meigs on the road on Wednesday afternoon.

Noah Sincoff would pitch yet another complete game for Athens in an incredibly impressive performance. He would end up allowing just three hits, striking out nine while allowing just one walk in the contest.

At the plate, it was another all-around night for Athens with six different batters recording a hit. David Sharp and Sam Trainor would each finish with multi-hit nights to lead the way. Justin Bennett, Easton Nuzum, Dawson Kennedy and Hoyt Munro would also tally a hit. Kennedy and Munro would also grab the team’s lone RBIs as Athens took advantage of four errors from the Marauder's (5-6, 4-2 TVC-Ohio) defense.

Limited to just three hits as a team, Hunter Smith, Braden Hawley and Mason Qualls were the only players for Meigs to get in the book with a hit. Brice Butcher would go the distance on the mound, allowing eight hits and two earned runs, striking out seven while allowing just one free pass himself.

After threatening in the top of the second, Athens would break through for the lead in the following frame. Following a single and a steal from Bennett to get a man in scoring position, an error from the Marauder’s second baseman off the bat of Nuzum would allow Bennett to scamper home.

The Bulldogs would next strike in the fourth. Sharp would come home on a passed ball to score the first run of the frame before a two-out single off the bat of Munro would bring in Ryan Cornwell with the third run of the game.

With Sincoff continuing to deal and keep Meigs’ offense at-bay, Athens would get even more insurance runs in the top of the seventh. All with two outs, another error from the Marauder’s defense followed by consecutive RBI singles from Nuzum and Kennedy would give Athens the five-run lead.

Sincoff would allow one on base in the bottom of the seventh but would quickly lock in, securing the shutout performance while also securing the season sweep over Meigs.