Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PROCTORVILLE — Fairland coach Bryan Ward said his team is playing better. He doesn’t have to convince the Huntington St. Joseph Fighting Irish.

The Dragons breezed to an 11-1 win in five innings on Thursday over the Irish.

“We’ve been playing better. A lot of our young kids have been getting some experience at their positions and we’re starting to hit,” said Ward.

Matt Aliff and Kyle Raines combined to limit St. Joseph to just one hit as the Dragons improved to 7-5.

Fairland took a 5-0 lead in the first inning.

Aliff singled, Josh Ross was hit by a pitch and Brandon Burcham had an RBI single.

Collin Damron singled home a run, stole second and Dylan Murphy followed with an RBI single. The throw home on the play was dropped as another run scored. Evan Russell reached on an error for the final run.

The Irish got a run in the top of the second but the Dragons got it back in the bottom of the inning with a walk to Burcham and Aliff, Ross and Raines all reaching on errors.

The Dragons put the game away with five more runs in the third.

Murphy walked, Russell and Luke Phillips singled to load the bases. Kyle Sowards was safe on an error for a run and Aliff reached on an error as two more runs scored.

Ross doubled in a run and Burcham grounded out for an RBI.

Hunt. St. Joe 010 00 = 1 1 6

Fairland 515 0x = 11 8 5

Benston, Adkins (2), Mays (4) and Rabel. Matt Aliff, Kyle Raines (4) and Garrett Scheibelhood, Cody Canteberry (3). W-Aliff (K-0, BB-1, HBP-1). 2B-Fairland: Josh Ross. Hitting-HSJ: Trace Adkins 1-2; Fairland: Matt Aliff 1-3, Bobby Thompson 1-1, Josh Ross 1-2, Brandon Burcham 1-1 rbi, Collin Damron 1-2 rbi, Dylan Murphy 1-1, Evan Russell 1-2, Luke Phillips 1-2.