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Knights still unbeaten

TORONTO – Another day, another strong performance by the unbeaten Red Knight baseball team.

The offense erupted for five runs in the first, Nate Stewart was rock solid on the hill and Toronto rolled to a 10-0 victory in six innings over Oak Glen Monday at the Knight Baseball Complex.

“It’s a testament to the kids,” Brian Perkins said of his club’s 8-0 start. “They come ready to play. They’re playing hard and really getting after it.”

Designated hitter Tyler Antinone got the Knights rolling with his sharp single to right, plating Chez Glenn and Tyler Owens with the game’s first runs. After Austin Lucas drew a free pass, John Romey delivered a base hit to score Antinone. Bill Solomon’s two-base gap shot allowed Lucas and Romey to scamper home and cap the rally.

The Red Knights would get a single tally in the fourth thanks to Owens’ RBI double, and two more in the fifth, Lucas’ triple down the right field line being the key blow of the frame. Base knocks from Chez Glenn and Owens along with run-producing sacrifice flies off the bats of Antinone and Brad Melville ended the contest in the home half of the sixth.

Meanwhile, Stewart, just a sophomore, was having his way with the Oak Glen offense. He scattered five hits and registered five whiffs. The Golden Bears did load the sacks in the third with two down but Stewart ended the threat with a strikeout. He also benefitted by another strong Toronto defensive performance (no errors and several outstanding plays).

In addition, Stewart picked two runners off second.

“He’s has a couple of good outings for us so far this season,” Perkins stated. “He was throwing three pitches for strikes today. If he continues to do that, he’ll have some success for us.”

Kyle Woodruff started for Oak Glen, now 3-5, and threw well after the initial inning.

“He threw strikes but a few walks early really hurt him,” Oak Glen coach Mat Deveaney said of Woodruff. “Against a good hitting team like Toronto, you can’t afford to have a poor start.”

Owens paced the 13-hit Toronto attack with three singles and a double. Lucas had a single to go along with his triple and Melville connected for two base hits.

“We want to be aggressive offensively and we’re swinging the bats well right now,” Perkins added. “Defensively, the kids have put in a lot of hard work and we’re scrappy with the gloves. They’re playing with passion and are really getting after it.”

Vince Haddox had two singles for the Golden Bears, who visit Madonna today.

“Mentally, we were in the game until the last few innings,” Deveaney stated. “We were coming off two big wins (over Madonna and John Marshall). We started 1-3 so we are heading in the right direction.”

Toronto will hit the road Wednesday, traveling to Wheeling Central.

“We are playing some young guys, we’re showing improvement and getting better every day,” Perkins said. “If we continue to do that, we’ll be where we want to be come tournament time.”

Toronto 10, Oak Glen 0

Oak Glen 000 000 – 0 5 2

Toronto 500 122 – 10 13 0

Oak Glen (3-5): Woodruff (LP, 3BB, 2K, 1 HBP) Swiger (6) and Smith; Haddox 2S, McLaughlin S, Bailey S, Woodruff S.

Toronto (8-0): Stewart (WP, 3BB, 5K, 1 HBP and Solomon; Owens 3S, D, RBI; Melville 2S, RBI; Lucas T, S, RBI; Solomon D, 3RBI; Romey S, RBI; Antinone S, 3RBI; C. Glenn S; Marriner S..

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