Eagles get win against Eels

Tyler Long scoops a grounder and makes a play to first base in the South Putnam home victory.(Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

Two consecutive homeruns and threes runs in the first three batters for Eminence looked promising, but the five runs by South Putnam in the first inning proved even more promising in route to a 14-7 victory Wednesday night.

"It went well," Eagles coach Zack Love said, "We did well offensively. They kind of jumped out to an early start in the first inning, but I felt we bounced back well. We have had some slow starts this season, so it's could to see us come back."

The game started out with the away team, Eminence, batting first. They quickly got to right-hander Tyler Long by singling then hitting two consecutive home runs to start the night out. Both Kyle Wilson and Kevin Johnson hit homers in the first. When the game was well out of hand in the seventh Mason Smith also hit a single shot off of Jake Carmichael.

Long only lasted 1.2 innings on the mound because of a sore arm. He let up five hits three walks and four runs in his workload. Carmichael was put in and he finished the game strong.

He gave away six hits and only a single walk with four strikeouts.

"Tyler was a little sore," Love said, "He just wasn't feeling it there in the second inning, so we went next man up. Jake Carmichael came in and pitched an excellent game and really cleaned up for us."

The Eagles (4-6 2-4 WCC) got to all three of the Eels' pitchers. Busting out 17 hits and 14 runs is a good night and keeps the bats going for South Putnam, who has now won three straight after starting the season 1-6.

"All the way up and down the order we hit really well," Love said, "Sophomore Josh Stewart hit a big homerun for us and Gierke hit one over, as well. I'm really proud of the effort."

Both Josh Stewart and Brandon Gierke hit homeruns for the South Putnam. Stewart's was a three-run shot in the second inning and Gierke's was a solo shot in the sixth.

"It feels great," Stewart said, "Finally got it accomplished. It is my first homerun of my career. It has been a goal of mine."

"It's one of the greatest feelings you can have," Gierke said, "It's my seventh of the year. I'm pretty proud."

Gierke also had well-played night behind the plate.

"My arm was a little hurt from pitching the night before," Gierke said, "I tried my best, played hard and blocked some balls."

Gierke and Stewart both were dealing with injuries. This was Stewart's first game back in a few days.

"For my first game back in a couple of days I felt like I was seeing the ball well and swinging at first pitch strikes," Stewart said.

Defense was superb for the Eagles who had one error on the night. Eminence had multiple errors in the infield and it led to seven infield singles. This burned the Eels.

"It was good because we got Monrovia last night but we played very sloppy," Love said, "I was good to see us bounce back and I was proud of our effort. We really did play a clean game tonight."

South Putnam scored in all innings except for the fourth.

At South Putnam

WP: Ty. Long (SP)

LP: Wilson (Em)