Bulldog tough Redbank hurler gets better of KC
FAIRVIEWTWP— He's only a sophomore, but Redbank Valley's Craig Hibell already has shown signs of being a steady veteran.
Hibell pitched a complete-game three-hitter with seven strikeouts and only one walk and hit a solo home run on a blustery day to lead the Bulldogs to a 3-0 victory over Karns City in a KSAC baseball game Tuesday.
Hibell also pitched himself out of a bases-loaded, two-out jam in the bottom of the seventh inning to preserve the win, outdueling the Gremlins' Coty McGregor, who struck out nine and walked one batter in 5 Qe innings of work.
"(Hibell's) probably one of the top five pitchers in the league, Coty too," said Karns City coach Rocky Brown. "We couldn't get the big hit when we needed. They pulled down everything we hit right at them."
Hibell was a starting pitcher as a freshman for the Bulldogs, even pitching against Moniteau in the District 9 playoffs. The Bulldogs lost that game 8-1, but seven of the Warriors' runs were unearned.
"He has a real strong future," said Redbank Valley coach Steve Smith. "We have four or five kids who can throw the ball well.
"This cold weather, it's hard to do anything. But this is how we'll win games like 3-2, 2-1. We don't have the thumpers like we did in the past," Smith added.
The Bulldogs (2-1) took a 1-0 lead in the third inning when, with one out, Skyler Smith smacked his second double of the game. After John Brothers popped out, Mike Booher lined a run-scoring single to drive home Smith.
Hibell's home run the following inning doubled the Bulldogs' lead.
Through the first six innings, the Gremlins had only one runner reach third base. That came in the second inning with two outs, but Cameron Turner popped out the end the threat.
The Bulldogs made it 3-0 in the top of the sixth inning when Nick Johnston opened the frame with a single and advanced to second on a wild pitch.
An error by Gremlins shortstop Chad Bell put runners at first and third before Hibell flied out to deep center field to score Johnston.
When Pinch-hitter Charlie Toth doubled to put a pair of runners in scoring position, Turner relieved McGregor and promptly struck out Matt Krafick, then got Kasey Haines to fly out to end the inning.
The Gremlins made a strong push in the bottom of the seventh inning when Mike Lopresti had a one-out single and an error by Booher, the Bulldogs shortstop, put runners and first and second.
After falling behind 0-2 on the count, Matt Stimac worked the count to 3-2 before striking out. Turner walked to load the bases before McGregor flied out to center field to end the game.
"That's our thing, that we work hard and don't quit," said Brown. "We're 1-2 now and we'll see how we react to this. We've not been in a position with a losing record."
Redbank Valley 001 101 0—3 6 2Karns City 000 000 0—0 3 2WP: Craig Hibell (7 IP) 7 strikeouts, 1 walk.
LP: Coty McGregor (5 1/3 IP) 9 strikeouts, 1 walk
Redbank Valley (2-1): Skyler Smith 2-2B; Mike Booher RBI 1B; Nick Johnston 1B; Craig Hibell HR, SF, 2 RBI; Charlie Toth 2B
Karns City (1-2): Mke Lopresti 2-1B; Coty McGregor 1B
Thursday: Karns City at Keystone
