HARD TO HIT: Sunderhaus quiets Providence bats in 9-2 Floyd Central win

Related Photos

Floyd Central High School's Kyle Neafus is congratulated by his teammates after hitting a home run during the sixth inning of their home game against Providence High School on Friday night. Floyd Central won the game 9-2. Staff photo by Christopher Fryer
Providence High School's Jon Davis strikes out to end the fourth inning of their game against Floyd Central High School at Floyd Central on Friday night. Floyd Central won the game 9-2. Staff photo by Christopher Fryer
The umpires discuss a controversial call at first base during the fifth inning of the high school baseball game between Floyd Central High School and Providence High School at Floyd Central on Friday night. Floyd Central won the game 9-2. Staff photo by Christopher Fryer
Floyd Central High School first baseman Ross Lundy tosses the ball to pitcher Cody Sunderhaus for an out at first base during their home game against Providence High School on Friday night. Floyd Central won the game 9-2. Staff photo by Christopher Fryer

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April 20, 2012

HARD TO HIT: Sunderhaus quiets Providence bats in 9-2 Floyd Central win

By GARRETT TAYLOR sports@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Fri Apr 20, 2012, 11:59 PM EDT

FLOYDS KNOBS — Junior starting pitcher Cody Sunderhaus struck out seven en route to a complete-game victory as Floyd Central improved their record to 7-5 by defeated visiting Providence 9-2 on Friday night.

Sunderhaus was dominant early and gave up just one hit through six innings to improve to 2-0 on the season. Highlander coach Casey LaDuke summed up Sunderhaus’ performance in two words.

“Typical Cody,” said LaDuke. “Cody is a battler and did a great job for us,”

Sunderhaus did not issue a walk in the game. In fact, the only thing Sunderhaus did wrong Friday evening was fail to catch a difficult pop-fly in foul territory.

“I almost chest bumped him for going after that ball,” LaDuke joked.

While Sunderhaus kept the Pioneer bats cold all night, The Highlanders had virtually no trouble at all with their offense.

Every position player for the Highlanders reached base in some form or fashion. The scoring started in the second inning when senior catcher Tanner Wortham singled and later scored on a double off the bat of junior infielder Connor Curry.

Curry later scored himself on a sacrifice fly by senior outfielder Anthony Sneed. The Highlanders scored five runs in the first four innings as they knocked Pioneer starting pitcher Brenden Popson around.

The scoring would continue for the Highlanders in the fifth inning, when junior outfielder Kyle Neafus connected on a monstrous two-run homer to left field, putting the game out of reach at 9-0.

Neafus was 3-for-3 on the night, and six of the Highlanders’ 13 total hits went for extra bases.

Derek Despain put together a great night at the plate for the Highlanders, going 3-for-3 with a single, a double, a triple, two RBI and a run scored.

The Pioneers (6-3-1) managed to score two runs in the seventh inning, but it was too little too late. The Pioneers went down in defeat, but Providence coach Scott Hornung remained optimistic.

“This is a young team that is trying to grow,” said Hornung. “The effort is there and we’re definitely improving offensively.”

Floyd Central travels to Evansville Harrison today. Providence hosts Seymour on Monday.

PROVIDENCE 000 000 2—2 5 3

FLOYD CEN. 021 240 x—9 13 1

W — Sunderhaus (2-0). L — Popson (2-3). 2B — Ensley (P), Curry (F), Despain (F), Snodgrass (F). 3B — Despain (F), Lundy (F). HR — Neafus (F).