Indians open up season with 10-0 shutout over Elverado

Du Quoin was nearly perfect opening the season against Elverado Thursday evening, shutting out the Falcons in a five-inning run-ruled game, 10-0.<br />Indian senior Jordan Edwards was perfect, tossing 2 2/3 innings and striking out seven of the eight batters he faced. <br />Due to new IHSA pitch count rules that mandate a certain amount of rest for pitchers who reach certain pitch counts, Du Quoin head coach Tim Craft pulled his senior hurler to save him for upcoming games, something he said will have a big affect on strategy throughout the season. <br />"(The new pitch count rules effect strategy) a lot," Craft said. "Especially early because we play today, two on Saturday and then we come back on Monday and Tuesday. Early, you have to be careful with how much pitching you use in one game because if you throw for too much, it's going to be hurting for a while. <br />"It's going to affect a lot of games and a lot of people."<br />Edwards was relieved by Bryzdon Witcher, who continued the pitching success, closing out the game with six strikeouts with two hits allowed. <br />"Pitchers came out and they did what we asked them," Craft said. "Tried to preach, throw strikes throw strikes throw strikes. Because the new pitch count rule are going to really, if you are walking people, put you back fast. <br />"Both Jordan and Bryzdon did exactly what we asked them. Jordan would have got another inning if one of there kids (didn't) have a real good at-bat where he didn't have to throw 10 pitches and that cost him a batter or two. But, he did great, both of them did."<br />The Indians got on the board early. After a fly out to open the inning, Hank Stewart and Braden Lee reached base with a walk and error, respectively. Edwards followed up with a walk, while Stewart notched the first run of the game on a passed ball. <br />An overthrow of first-base brought home Stewart and Lee to increase the lead 3-0. <br />Charley Mercier continued things with an RBI double. Bryce Clarry followed up, knocking in Mercier on a RBI triple, closing out the offense in the first inning with Du Quoin ahead, 5-0. <br />The Indians added two more in the second, as a lead-off single from Ashton Smith and following walk by Stewart both came around to score on passed balls. <br />After a scoreless third, the Indians got right back to work, as Stewart, Lee and Edwards came around to score, with Charley Meyers knocking home Edwards with an RBI single to give the Indians a 10-0 lead. <br />"Yea (i thought we had a good approach at the plate," Craft said. "We had a little bit of a lull in the game where we stopped putting the ball in play. We just need to stay focused the whole game and with two strikes find a way to put the ball in play." <br />Witcher closed things out in the top of the fifth, striking out the final two batters with men on first and second to clinch the five-inning win. <br />The Indians will resume action Saturday, as they travel to Herrin for a double-header with the first game scheduled to start at 11 a.m.