By MIKE HUTSELL
Mike.Hutsell@newsandtribune.com
PENDLETON —
The New Albany 11-12-year-old All Stars opened play at the Indiana State Tournament with a 5-1 win over St. Joe Little League.
Five pitchers — A.J. Nixon, Zach Landrum, Timmy Redford, Cody Ogden and Ricky West — combined to limit St. Joe to six hits in the win.
Landrum got the New Albany offense going with a two-run home run in the first inning, and Luke Eskins and Tanner Goller both added RBI singles in the win.
“It feels good. It’s nice to come into the tourney and get that first win,” said New Albany coach John Striegel. “We were able to use all our pitching today in a manner where all our guys are available to go tomorrow if needed.”
New Albany’s next pool play game is at 3 p.m. today against Ben Davis and its final pool-play contest is Monday against New Prairie Little League (South Bend). The top two teams in each respective pool advance to the quarterfinals, which begin on Tuesday.
