Gardendale’s David Roberts threw a three-hit shutout on Friday night againt Hayden as the Rockets rolled, 21-0.

By Charles Prince

The North Jefferson News



The Gardendale Rockets put their newly-expanded hitting approach to good work on Friday night as they erupted for 21 runs in a 21-0 shutout of Hayden. Gardendale hitters went with the pitch most of the night and the result was 19 base hits, with all nine starters collecting at least one.

“We swung the bats really well tonight,” Gardendale head coach Pat Keedy said. “We hit the ball the other way and back up through the middle. That’s the things we’ve been working on and a coach it’s gratifying to see your team come out and execute it. Once they had a little success with it, I think everyone bought into it.”

Gardendale scored eight runs in the first inning, two each in the second and third and then added nine more in the fourth as they put the game out of reach.

The Rockets started fast in the first inning as Rob Mitchell singled to lead off and Hunter Graveman followed with a double.

Trey Williamon then walked, followed by Adam Erwin being hit by a pitch, sending in the first Rocket run.

Josh Headley then singled in a run, followed by Conner McCain’s RBI-single.

Cameron Brewer then collected a RBI-single. One out later, Andrew’s Campbell double sent two runners home for a 7-0 Gardendale lead. Campbell would later come home on Mitchell’s sacrifice fly.

With the score 12-0 entering the bottom of the fourth, the Gardendale bats heated up again.

McCain’s three-run homer and Ethan Power’s two-run blast highlighted a six-hit, nine-run frame.

McCain finished the game 3-for-3 with three runs scored and four RBIs. Rob Mitchell went 3-for-3 with three runs and an RBI and Hunter Graveman went 2-for-2 with a double and two runs scored.

“As far as swinging the bats, this was one of our best games of the season,” Keedy said. “We hit lots of balls hard tonight.”

Not to be overshadowed by the hitters, starting pitcher David Roberts (3-4) fired a three-hitter and didn’t allow a runner to advance past second base. He threw five innings and struck out two, walked one and hit a batter.

“David ended up really strong,” Keedy said. “He did well. He missed a few spots early, but the last three innings he did a really good job and he gave us what we had hoped to get out of him.”

In the nightcap, Andrew Busby threw a five inning no-hitter as Gardendale won, 18-0.

Busby walked one and struck out 11.

At the plate, Busby went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Powers went 2-for-2 with a double and two RBIs. Josh Lawson went 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs. Brewer went 2-for-3 with a double and Travis Key went 1-for-2 with two walks and two RBIs.

Gardendale improved to 12-8.