SPRINGDALE — If the double play is a pitcher’s best friend, Tony Johnston and his defense must be extremely close.
Johnston, who made his first start of the summer for the Austin (Texas) Slam Braves Red on Friday, induced four double plays in a 10-6 win against Fayetteville in the Premier Baseball National Sophomore Championship at the Tyson Sports Complex.
All four double plays were inning-enders for Fayetteville, which left eight runners on base.
“Tony (Johnston) is a 15-year-old and I haven’t even seen him throw until today, but I liked what I saw,” Slam coach Kevin Kelso said. “Our team hasn’t played great defense all summer, but during this tournament we have played well behind our pitchers and that was certainly the case today.”
Johnston hadn’t played with the Slam until they made the trip to Northwest Arkansas. In his first start, the right-hander nearly went the distance, allowing seven hits and four earned runs.
He got plenty of offensive support early on, as Sam Reynolds blasted a three-run home run to give Austin a 7-3 lead in the third inning. Reynolds finished the day 3-for-3 with five RBIs.
“Our team is typically a small-ball type of club, but (Reynolds) has the ability to hit the ball out of the yard at any time,” Kelso said. “We have been fortune enough to get off to good starts in both of our games today. It always makes it easier on everyone when you can get a big lead early on.”
Fayetteville led 3-0 in the third, but never recovered from the seven-run burst by Austin. The Bulldogs finished with 10 hits, led by Carson Shaddy, who finished 3-for-3 out of the leadoff spot.
“Carson (Shaddy) is the type of player we look for at this level,” Fayetteville coach Kent Ariola said. “He is a smart and scrappy player who can play anywhere on the field. He did a nice job for us behind the plate today and he is always consistent at the top of our order.”
Daniel Williams extended the Slam lead to seven runs in the fifth inning as he belted a two-run homer to make it 10-3. Austin collected 10 hits as a team. Sam Tiefke finished 3-for-3, one of three Slam players to collect multiple hits.
Both teams will be in action today, as they close out pool play in Rogers’ Veterans Park.
Premier Baseball Tournament
AUSTIN, TEXAS 10
FAYETTEVILLE 6
Fayetteville 012 000 3 — 6 10 1
Austin, Texas 007 030 X — 10 10 0
Fultz, Finley (3), Harter and Shaddy; Johnston, Chipman (7) and McElderry. W — Johnston. L — Finley. HRs — Austin, Reynolds (3), Williams (2).