MOUNT VERNON — In recent history, Mount Vernon hasn’t had much problem with Franklin Heights.
Recent history has a way of repeating itself.
For the seventh straight time, the Mount Vernon Yellow Jackets run-ruled the Franklin Heights Falcons, winning Friday’s Ohio Capital Conference showdown, 11-1, in five innings.
The win was Mount Vernon’s fourth consecutive victory.
The bats were out early and often for the Jackets (5-6, 3-2 OCC), who scored in every inning of Friday’s game. Shawn Maxwell and Ryan Goetzman each had three hits, with Maxwell having a double and a triple — just a home run short of a cycle. Jayben Martin added two doubles.
“Shawn, Ryan and Jayben are really swinging the bat well,” said Mount Vernon head coach Matt Smith. “They’re swinging the bat with some pop, and we’re getting some extra base hits from that.”
Nearly everyone in the lineup had a hit. Riley Swanson, Kory Shackle, Billy Jackson, Brandon Dobbs and Eric Ashbrook all had base hits. Only Nate Shuman didn’t register a hit, though he did reach base twice.
On the mound, C.J. Atherton pitched a solid complete game, allowing just four hits and two walks. The only run he allowed was in the second inning, when Josh Uadiski reached on the Falcons’ first single of the game, then worked his way around the bases, finally coming home on a Jaime Payne sacrifice fly.
“I’ve been working on my control,” said Atherton. “In the offseason, I lifted and worked on my mechanics really well.”
“He hit his spots,” said Smith. “C.J. has worked really hard to make himself into a solid pitcher, and he threw a good ballgame tonight.”
Mount Vernon scored five runs in the first to take command early. All five runs were scored when eight consecutive batter reached base safely with two outs.
The final one was the most bizarre.
