Slater opens 2-4 on diamond

The highlight of the 'Cats' season so far is a three-run walk-off homer by junior Jermie Pittman for a 19-16 victory over Madison. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

SLATER -- It took nearly two full weeks for the Slater baseball team to take the field, but it has now done so with a vengeance -- playing five games in five days.

The Wildcats were delayed Friday, April 3, when Bunceton forfeited, but then split two games Saturday at the Madison Tournament. After losing to Canton, 28-4 in a game called by the tourney's time limit after four innings, the Purple for a 19-16, six-inning win over the host Wildcats when junior Jermie Pittman smashed a walk-off, three-run homer.

Pittman went five-for-five during that game, scoring four runs and driving in eight. Sophomore Levi Thomas scored four runs and -- along with sophomore Travis Holt and seniors Derek Ballowe, Tyler Bishop and Joey Sapone -- had two hits.

In its first Lewis and Clark Conference outing, Slater dropped a competitive 7-2 decision Monday to visiting Paris -- senior William Ransdell cracking a solo shot among his three hits for the Coyotes.

The next day, Carrollton junior Brandon Davis fired a no-hitter at the 'Cats, striking out 10 of the 16 batters he faced, as the Trojans rolled to a 24-0, five-inning victory at Lions Field.

The marathon continued Wednesday at Hughesville, where junior Zach Crooker allowed only two earned runs in Northwest's 8-4 decision.

Slater (2-4) will get a brief holiday break before heading to Bosworth for a non-conference game Tuesday.