By Mike Goodson/Sports Correspondent
Southside High freshman pitcher Sam Raines faced only 22 batters on his way to the no-hitter in the Panthers’ 2-0 victory over Sardis in the Etowah County Baseball Tournament semifinals on Saturday (Apr. 16) at Gaston.
In seven innings, Raines struck out three and walked none.
“We didn’t swing our bats great, but Sam throws three pitches for strikes and he had good stuff today,” said SHS head baseball coach Blake Bone.
Class 6A No. 10 Southside advanced to the championship game against Hokes Bluff, who beat Glencoe in the other semifinal.
The Lion’s only baserunner reached on an error in the fifth inning.
Southside managed a run in the bottom of the fourth when Logan Brooks walked, stole second and scored on Daniel Sieber’s RBI single for the only run Rains would need.
The Panthers pick up an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth when Adam Lister reached on a fielders choice and scored on Tanner Snow’s double to leftfield.
Ross Strickland took the loss for Sardis. He struck out four and walked three.
Sardis defeated West End, 4-3 in the opening round of the tournament on Apr. 15.