BY KYLE LOVERN
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

VAN, W.Va. — Tug Valley defeated the Van Bulldogs 11-0 behind a great pitching performance by Austin Smith in a game April 10 at Van.

The coaching staff was pleased with the defensive play behind Smith on the mound. The Panthers did not commit any errors in the field.

Smith hurled a perfect game and struck out nine Van batters in the five-inning mercy-rule contest.

The Panthers took a 3-0 lead after the first inning and led 5-0 after the second frame. They plated five more runs in the top of the fourth inning and tacked one more in the fifth.

Smith helped his own cause with two hits including a triple.

Julian Vance, Dakota Ooten, David Copley and Zack Hall each had hits for Tug Valley. Hall’s hit was a double. Conner Lackey had two RBIs and scored twice, while Vance came home three times to score three runs. Vance, who walked twice, also stole three bases, while Austin Smtih swiped two bases.

As a team, the Panthers drew six walks to help with their scoring rallies.

Ooten and Hall led the rally in the first inning. Ashton Smith brought in a run in the second with a sacrifice fly.

Austin Smith’s triple brought in two runs in the fourth frame.

The losing pitcher for the Bulldogs was Patrick Frame.

Tug Valley is scheduled to play Point Plesant on Friday and Wayne on Saturday afternoon, weather permitting.