WILLMAR -- Jordan Smith threw a three-hit shutout and Alec Saunders belted a two-run home run to lift Willmar to a 4-0 Central Lakes Conference baseball win over St. Cloud Tech Monday.
Smith, who retired seven batters in a row at one point in the game, struck out the side in the fourth inning -- all on called third strikes.
His only trouble was in the second innings, when he gave up a leadoff double. He struck out the next batter and then coaxed a ground out, moving the runner to third. His third strikeout of the game ended the inning. It would be the only time the Tigers had a runner at third base.
Saunders broke the scoreless tie in the fourth inning with a blast to left-center field, scoring Smith. The duo were part of the Cardinals' two-run sixth inning, also. Smith singled and Saunders doubled him home. Saunders scored his second run of the game on a John Sawatzky single.
Willmar, who play four games this week, (5-6, 7-7) will face the Tigers at Faber Field Thursday. The Cardinals host Brainerd today then travel to Brainerd on Friday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Willmar 4, SC Tech 0
St. Cloud Tech 000 000 0 -- 0 3 1
Willmar 000 202 x -- 4 7 0
HITTING - St. Cloud Tech: Collin Stinogel 1-for-3, 2b; Ryan Spangler 1-for-3; Adam Johnson 1-for-1 ... Willmar: Josh Oesterich 1-for-3; Jordan Smith 1-for-3; Alec Saunders 2-for-3, 2 runs, 2b, 2-run HR, 3 rbi; John Sawatzky 1-for-3, rbi; Tim Chermak 1-for-2; Travis Hanson 1-for-2
PITCHING (ip-h-r-er-bb-so) -- St. Cloud Tech: Adam Johnson (L) 6-7-4-4-0-7 ... Willmar: Jordan Smith (W) 7-3-0-0-3-13
