ERIE — Humboldt coach Mike Miller knew that he was going to have to rely on his pitchers being at their best this week with six games in the span of four days due to rescheduling.
“Our pitchers had to step up in a big way,” Miller said. “Just like last night, our pitchers did just that.”
Senior Daylon Splane certainly delivered on Tuesday night with a perfect game in a 9-0 win against rival Erie.
“Daylon was incredible,” Miller said. “We talked about him getting out of the game early so we could have him available for Thursday (against Burlington) if we needed him, but he was dialed in so we let him go and he finished the job.”
The Red Devils were the only team to defeat Humboldt during basketball’s regular season, but on the baseball field, they were no match for Splane and the Cubs.
“Our defense made some great plays to back up Daylon,” Miller said.
Splane needed just 74 pitches to complete his seven-inning-feat. He struck out eight.
Josh Vanatta led the Cubs offense by going 3-for-4. Senior Rayce Hoepker also had two hits and Splane was the leading run producer with two RBI.
GAME TWO
Hoepker looked like he might come close to matching his friend’s achievement with two no-hit innings to begin the game, but after Erie’s first hit of the night came in the third inning of the second game and with Humboldt holding a 7-0 lead already, Miller pulled Hoepker with 43 pitches — two short of the 45-pitch limit to return on one-day rest — with Thursday’s game at Burlington in mind.
Cooper Jaro finished up the game by recording four outs and Humboldt added 10 runs in the fourth inning to end the game 17-0 after four innings.
“Our bats really came alive in game two,” Miller said. “We did a lot of damage with two outs which is just crushing to your opponent.”
Sophomore Dagen Goodner led the Cub offense by going 3-for-4 batting with five RBI.
Hoepker reached base all four times he batted with a single, double and two walks.
The Cubs will have a big test on Thursday when they travel to Burlington for a non-conference showdown.
