The Houn’ Dawgs sent their lanky left-hander to the mound against Big 8 foe Mount Vernon on Tuesday as they picked up the 6-1 win.
Junior Zac Shoemaker pitched a complete game and allowed just four hits, one walk, and one earned run with four punch outs. Mount Vernon’s Ty Boswell drove in Chris Marsh to tie the game 1-1 in the top of the first, but that’s all the Mountaineers’ offense could summon against Shoemaker.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS
“I got the job done and did what needed to be done,” said Shoemaker. “My command wasn’t as sharp as I am used to, so the infielders got a good workout today. I was really happy to finally get one on Mount Vernon. It was a good team win.”
Shoemaker, who has played varsity since a freshman, notched his first career win against Mount Vernon on Tuesday.
“Last year, we faced them three times and they beat us every game by one run,” he said. “It was definitely something I remember and it stuck with me ever since it happened. I’ll probably never forget it. So this is a nice win.”
“He’s just good, I mean there’s no other way to put it,” Aurora coach James Hoffman said about his lefty. “He’s one of the best pitchers in the area by far. There’re no ifs, ands or buts about it. He’s one of the top pitchers in the area.”
The Houn’ Dawgs gave the Mountaineers some trouble in the second inning, drawing four walks in their first four plate appearances and also scored on a passed ball. Mount Vernon then made a pitching change to stop the bleeding. Aurora’s Matthew Miller was still able to drive in two runs after that, giving Aurora a 5-1 lead after two innings.
“Our goal is to get the starting pitcher’s pitch count up. That’s what we did,” said Hoffman. “If they’re going to try to be fine with their pitches we’re going to be patient. If they’re going to challenge us, we’re going to attack the baseball.”
Mount Vernon is coming off a 5-0 win over Hollister, a game in which senior Peyton Oehlschlager pitched his second-consecutive no-hitter. Oehlschlager plays the outfield when he’s not on the mound. He went 0-3 as the lead-off hitter against Aurora.
Aurora’s one loss came to Class 5 Marquette High School from the St. Louis area in the Willard Tournament on Apr. 2. They’ve won five in a row since then. Coach Hoffman keeps his guys focused on daily objectives in the midst of this hot start.
“Our goal is to come out and play the game one pitch at a time,” he said. “Take care of our job that day, that pitch, and we just try to get better every time and put our best swing on the pitch and go get after it. Nothing too fancy, nothing too high. We just go out and try to take care of business.”
Mount Vernon (9-4) will look to rebound against another Big 8 opponent on Apr. 14 when they host Monett. Aurora (11-1) travels to Seneca on Apr. 14, and then they’ll take on Carl Junction and Glendale on Saturday, Apr. 16.
