By FRED KRONER
Pitchers Eli Garrett and Owen Wall combined to throw a no-hitter on Thursday (Aug. 25) as St. Joseph Middle School’s baseball team shut out visiting Rantoul, 15-0.
Garrett pitched the first two innings. He walked three and struck out two. Wall worked the third – and final – inning. He fanned one batter.
The pitchers were backed by an errorless defense.
Offensive heroics were provided by Finn Miller and Willis Canamore. Miller was 2-for-2, drove in two runs and scored four runs. Canamore was 2-for-3, also with two RBI and two runs scored.
Tripp Palmer and Garrett both delivered two RBI. Tyler Wright and Jameson Ennis each tallied two runs.
The win against Rantoul followed a loss the night before at home against Mahomet-Seymour. M-S edged the Panthers, 10-8, on Wednesday (Aug. 24).
Miller was 3-for-4 at the plate. Garrett and Ryder Van Meenen both delivered two hits. Miller crossed home plate three times and knocked in two runs.
Cam Buskirk pitched the first four innings and did not get a decision. He fanned four batters and walked two. Miller worked a scoreless seventh inning.
On Saturday (Aug. 27), the Panthers swept a doubleheader at home from Teutopolis, winning 12-2 and 10-6.
Miller, Canamore and Van Meenen powered two hits in each game. One of Canamore’s hits was a home run. Garrett also launched four hits for the day, including a 3-for-3 showing in Game 1. Nolan Franzen delivered a three-hit second game.
Other stalwarts for the day were Palmer (3-for-6 in the twin bill) and Buskirk (3-for-7 for the day). Brayden Waller knocked in two runs in the first game.
Franzen pitched a complete five-inning game to start the action. He allowed two hits, walked two and struck out five.
Canamore earned the second-game win following a four-inning outing. He permitted five hits, one walk and fanned eight. He was followed to the mound by Wright and Miller.
On Monday (Aug. 29), the Panthers needed eight innings to secure a 5-4 triumph at home over Gifford. St. Joseph tallied two runs in the bottom of the eighth.
Buskirk, Canamore and Wright all landed two hits. Van Meenen delivered two RBI.
Pitchers Buskirk and Miller were backed by a defense that committed no errors.
Buskirk threw 4 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out six. Miller worked the final 3 1/3 innings, walking no one and fanning four.
St. Joseph (10-4) returns to action on Wednesday (Aug. 31) at home against Bismarck-Henning. The Panthers have a four-game winning streak.
