By Tyler F. Thompson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
STRAFFORD, Mo. — Forsyth (16-3) senior hurler Tristan Hunter was brilliant for the Panthers once again, as they capitalized on a 3-run fifth inning to pull away from Strafford (13-4) for the 4-2 Mid-Lakes Conference and district win Tuesday at Strafford.
With the win, the Panthers are riding a 7-game winning streak.
The game plan was about as simple as it comes, Hunter said.
“Just work inside,” Hunter said. “Fastballs, pound the zone inside because they are going to be up on the plate. Once they backed off, curveballs outside.”
Hunter — a University of Kentucky signee — went 6 2/3 innings before being pulled due to pitch count with one out to go, up 4-1 with the bases loaded.
“I think we can make a run,” Hunter said. “I think all the guys on this team are ready. They are hungry.”
The phenom went 6 2/3 innings with nine strikeouts.
“He was terrific. As he has been all year,” Panthers skipper Byron Richardson said. “[He] competes; doesn’t let any moment get too big for him. Can’t ask for any more out of our ace.”
In short: Hunter was in the proverbial “zone.”
Keeping the Indians’ potent offense at bay was crucial, but so was getting out of jams, as he did in the fourth inning when six Indians dug into the box.
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Leadership is one intangible that is seamless for Hunter. An area of great improvement, per his coach.
Said Richardson: “That is where he has really grown. This year, he stepped into that vocal leadership role. He handles his emotions so well. He works his tail off, so it is so easy for these guys to get behind him. And when he does decide to say something, they know that he wants to win and is competitive, they get behind him.”
With Hunter dealing, and a stingy defense behind him, offensive production was vital.
But it wasn’t consistent.
Hunter took it upon himself to help his cause as his third-inning triple commenced the scoring, 1-0.
But after that, it took the Panthers a bit to get going.
Patience was paramount.
Tied 1-1, someone had to rise to the occasion.
And they did.
The Panthers’ plate discipline continued to improve with each passing frame, and after two walks to open the fifth, Ben Boyer stepped up.
Boyer doubled, plating a pair of Panthers.
“I didn’t get what I was really looking for,” Boyer said. “My boys got on first and second, and he gave me the outside pitch and I just poked it that way.”
The Panthers, up 3-1, knew they needed more against a potent Strafford attack.
A Strafford fielding error would plate Boyer for the fourth run.
Boyer addressed the improved plate discipline down the stretch.
“He [Gabe Moore] is a good pitcher,” Boyer said. “Just seeing it … and not putting our heads down after a bad at-bat, knowing we would get him the next time.”
Grit is the key to the 2024 season for Forsyth.
“We have grinded out a lot of games this year,” Boyer said. “We are used to it.”
Strafford plated their first run in the bottom of the third, when a bang-bang play at first base favored the Indians on Brayden Choate’s infield single.
The Indians added another during the 7th-inning rally in which Choate drew the bases-loaded walk against relief pitcher Bryce Nolen.
Forsyth now prepares for Mansfield (April 25) and Monett (April 27).
