Indians Sweep Doubleheader at Monroe

The Stephens County Indians baseball team got back-to-back outstanding pitching performances and swept a region-8 doubleheader Thursday night at Monroe Area High School.

In game one, Konnor Loudermilk pitched a one-hit shutout, and the Indians scored the only runs needed in the first inning, to earn a 2-0 victory.

Craig Thurmond led off the game with a single and later scored on a William Roush’s RBI double. Later in the inning, Roush scored from 3rd base when Christian Hewitt was thrown out at 2nd base on an attempted steal.

Loudermilk got the win pitching all 7 innings and striking out nine Purple Hurricanes while just walking four.

In the nightcap, Findley Ward earned a complete game victory pitching seven strong innings and allowing only one run on four hits, while striking out eleven hitters, and the Indians completed the sweep with a 5-1 win.

Stephens County again jumped out to an early lead with Thurmond scoring when Loudermilk hit into a fielder’s choice double play.

Monroe Area tied the score in the 2nd inning with two doubles by Dylan Hamby and Emory White.

The Indians got the lead for good in the 3rd inning when Tylar Zigan’s two-out single with the bases loaded scored Colby Fowler and Roush to make the score 3-1. The Indians would add two insurance runs in the top of the 7th inning when Loudermilk doubled home Thurmond and Fowler.

Stephens County improves to 2-1 in region-8 play and 7-6 overall. Monroe Area falls to 3-8 overall and 1-2 in the region.

Stephens County’s next game will be on Tuesday when they travel to Hebron Christian. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 P.M. with airtime at 4:20 P.M. on WNEG