Webb City (15-13) pitcher Calem Nutting quite literally did it all for the Cardinals on Friday – throwing seven brilliant innings while also driving in all three of his team's runs in a 3-2 win over host Rogersville (11-13).
On the mound, Nutting showed an abundant amount of poise and confidence that ultimately led him to a performance in which he gave up just two earned runs on three hits, while striking out eight and allowing a pair of walks.
“[Nutting] has kind of had some rough outings throughout the year, so we needed a big one from him,” Webb City head coach Chris Taylor said. “He stepped up and did a good job, kept them off balance and just pounded the strike zone.”
The defending COC Pitcher of the Year didn't waste much time in helping his own cause at the dish, either. With two outs in the top of the first, Nutting blasted the first pitch he saw from Rogersville hurler Logan Eury over the center field fence for a go-ahead two-run homer.
While Nutting was busy rounding the bases following his shot, Wildcats head coach Casey Ledl quickly became a victim to second-guessing.
“I should have probably walked him there and not let him have a chance, but we thought we would pitch to him,” Ledl said in reference to Nutting's home run. “That's what happens when you face a good high school hitter.”
Besides giving his team an early 2-0 advantage, Nutting's round-tripper also gave the senior the charge he needed on the bump to frustrate the Wildcats throughout the contest.
“I think it helped spark him and get him in a good mindset,” Taylor said.
Nutting struck again in the third with an RBI single into right, scoring Tanner Jones from second base to put the Cardinals up by three.
That lead would dwindle in the next frame, however, as Nutting made his only legitimate mistake of the game when Rogersville shortstop Jordan Fitzpatrick went deep for a two-out, two-run home run – cutting the Webb City lead to 3-2.
But Webb City's man on the mound refused to buckle – finishing strong by retiring 13 of his final 17 batters and not allowing a runner to get past first base the rest of the way.
“The home run didn't really faze me because I knew I could come back and my team would just pick me right up,” said Nutting. “It just didn't faze me much.”
Eury took the loss for the Wildcats in a gutsy effort, yielding three runs on seven hits and walking just one batter. After giving up three runs over the first three frames, Eury didn't permit Webb City to push a run across for the remainder of the game, while retiring nine straight Cardinals at one point.
“I was pretty proud of our kids for competing,” Ledl said. “I thought our pitcher did a pretty good job other than a pitch or two. You can't ask for any more than that.”
Webb City travels to Kickapoo on Tuesday to finish up its regular season slate. Rogersville hosts Republic and Monett on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively, to round out the regular season.
