Panthers’ Lester fires no-hitter

Published 3:52 am Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CHESAPEAKE — There’s an old adage that says “there’s no rest for the wicked.” For Blake Lester, no rest means your pitching is pretty wicked.

Working on just two days rest, Lester pitched a no-hitter and struck out 19 batters as the Chesapeake Panthers shutout the River Valley Raiders 4-0 Monday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Lester allowed just two baserunners — one on an error and another on an intentional walk. He retired 19 in a row during one stretch and had 13 strikeouts in a row. He struck out the final five of the game.

Chesapeake (4-6, 2-3) got three run in the second inning.

Bobby Arthur was safe on an error to start the rally and then Jacob Eddy, Austin Stone and Blake Ashworth all singled to drive in runs.

The final run scored in the sixth. Ashworth walked and scored when McComas singled and the ball got through the outfield to the fence.

Stone was 2-3 as the Panthers had six hits.

River Valley 000 000 0 = 0 0 2

Chesapeake 030 001 x = 4 6 1

Tim Kemper, Trey Farley (6) and Trey Farley. Blake Lester and Blake Ashworth. W-Lester (K-19, BB-1). L-Kemper (K-6, BB-4). Hitting-Chesapeake: Casey McComas 1-3, Jacob Henson 1-3, Jacob Eddy 1-3, Austin Stone 2-3, Blake Ashworth 1-2.