NO-HITTER … Edon’s Kyler Sapp fires a pitch during his five-inning no-hit effort against Stryker. (PHOTO BY RICH HARDING, STAFF)
By: Daniel Cooley
EDON (APRIL 20, 2023) – The last time Edon pitcher Kyler Sapp threw a no-hitter, he was in Little League.
But now Sapp has one on the big stage, varsity baseball, helping Edon to a 10-0 win over Stryker.
Never mind that the game only lasted five innings because of the 10-run rule. It still counts as a no-hitter.
According to Edon head coach Brien Moore, Sapp’s no-hitter is the 14th in Edon baseball history.
“When I was warming up, I could tell my pitches were on and my curve was on,” Sapp said. “(Catcher) Garrett (Skiles) and I were on the same page in calling pitches.”
“The location of my fastball was also big. Also, the defense played well behind me.”
The defense did commit one error when fielding a ground ball in the second inning. But Sapp then struck out the next three batters to end the inning.
Overall, the defense didn’t have to do a whole lot, because Sapp fired 12 strikeouts and Stryker’s first nine outs were all on strikeouts. Other than that, there were two ground outs and one fly out.
“That’s something that he had all those strikeouts early on, because he walked the bases loaded in the first inning,” Moore said. “Kyler had trouble with his control early, but then got it together.”
Another milestone occurred in the game, when Edon’s Wade Parrish stole his 47th career stolen base, in the fourth inning.
“On the steals, I just do what my coach tells me,” Parrish said. “But this is an honor, to break Skeet Hug’s record. He was a heck of a baseball player.” Coach Moore also talked about Parrish’s milestone.
“Wade’s been a crucial part of our team and he’s always quick to give credit to his team,” Moore said. “But this achievement is big for him. I’m proud of him.”
Stryker threatened to score in the opening inning, loading the bases on two walks, with two outs. But Sapp then ended the Stryker threat with his third strikeout of the inning.
Stryker also put a runner on second base in the third inning on a walk and stolen base. But the threat ended there, as Sapp added three strikeouts in the inning.
The game was scoreless after two innings, but Edon then broke through for four runs in the third inning, on five hits and a Stryker error.
Christian Owens, Parrish, and Ian Hickman each knocked in runs, while another run scored on a Stryker throwing error.
Edon then broke the game open by scoring three runs each in the fourth and fifth innings. Owens knocked in two runs and the other run scored on a Stryker fielding error, to take a 7-0 lead after four innings.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Skiles had a two run double and the 10th run scored on a throwing error, promptly ending the game because of the 10-run rule.
Owens led Edon with two singles and two RBIs.
“It’s amazing what a little confidence does for a team,” Moore said. “The boys are starting to put things together and I’m honored that we’re 4-1 in the BBC.”
STRYKER 000 00 – 0 0 4
EDON 004 33 – 10 12 1
Records: Stryker 2-8 (2-3 BBC), Edon 5-8 (4-1 BBC)
WINNING PITCHER: Sapp (5 innings, 0 runs, 0 hits, 12 strikeouts, 5 walks)
LOSING PITCHER: D. Donovan (4.1 innings, 10 runs, 9 earned, 1 strikeout, 4 walks)
LEADING HITTERS: (Edon) Radabaugh – 2 singles, 2 runs; Skiles – double, single, 2 RBIs, 3 runs; Owens – 2 singles, 2 RBIs, Hickman – 2 singles, RBI
Dan can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com