Sam Ryan had the stuff on Saturday afternoon.
The no-hit stuff specifically as he struck out eight and walked four through seven innings to lead Mexico to a 9-0 win over North Callaway. The Bulldogs won fifth place in the Southern Boone Invitational game at Mexico.
Ryan tallied six of his strikeouts in the fourth through sixth innings as he got into a groove on the way to what he said is his first career no-hitter. He added he has been as close as one or two hits but had never put up a zero in the hit column.
"I think it was because my arm wasn't hurting finally for once," Ryan said. "I was able to throw as hard as I could for strikes and aim my pitches anywhere. Defense did great. They put it in play, and it was an easy out."
Head coach Daniel McCarty said he thought Ryan could feel relaxed with the run support he was receiving, leading to Mexico's first varsity no-hitter in a while. Mexico (14-14) had a 3-0 lead through four innings and then an 8-0 lead through five. Austin Maxwell was 2-for-4 with two RBI, and six Bulldogs each had one RBI.
"Sam Ryan came in dealing," McCarty said. "He was a little slugglish at first, just trying to find the strike zone. Once he got the lead, he got more comfortable. He started pounding the zone more with fastballs."
North Callaway (14-9) has averaged about 10 runs per game this season and are an undefeated 9-0 in the Eastern Missouri Conference. The Thunderbirds scored only one run in Friday's two games against Moberly and Southern Boone, who have both either received state votes or are state-ranked. Head coach Kirt Kleindienst said the offense hit its stride again in a 15-1 five-inning victory on Saturday against Hallsville, but Ryan was a bigger challenge, especially after starting pitcher and leadoff hitter Keaton Bell was ejected in the third inning.
"He does a great job in changing eye levels," Kleindienst said. "He works fastballs up and down, which helps his breaking balls so much. Sam is a baseball player and is a fantastic pitcher and kid."
Mexico (3-6 NCMC) plays at North Central Missouri Conference rival and Class 4 No. 8 Fulton (14-6, 7-2 NCMC) at 5 p.m. Tuesday while North Callaway hosts Bowling Green (6-11, 5-3 EMO) at 5 p.m. Monday for Senior Night and to see if it can go undefeated in conference.
Look for Mexico and North Callaway baseball tournament reports in the May, 8, 2024, edition of the Mexico Ledger.
