Dicus dominates as Warriors roll into next round

The White County Middle School baseball team kept its momentum rolling Monday night, advancing through the winner’s bracket of the district tournament with a 9-1 win over Avery Trace. A quick-starting offense paired with a strong outing on the mound from Jack Dicus set the tone early and never let up.

White County wasted little time getting on the board. Noah Teeples drew a leadoff walk, and Dicus followed with a full-count free pass. Ryder Staggs then singled to load the bases before Tate Pinion lifted a fly ball to left field. Though it was caught, Teeples tagged and scored easily to open the scoring. Zade Brown followed with a single that plated both Dicus and Staggs, giving the Warriors a 3-0 lead before the Raiders could settle in.

Dicus worked through some early traffic in the bottom half of the inning, issuing three walks, but limited the damage by striking out three and keeping Avery Trace off the scoreboard.

The Warriors added to their lead in the second. Teeples reached again after being hit by a pitch, stole second, and moved to third on a single from Dicus. With the bases loaded after a walk to Pinion, Haskell Simmons put the ball in play and an error by the Raider shortstop allowed two more runs to cross, stretching the lead to 5-0.

From there, Dicus found a rhythm. He retired Avery Trace in order over the next two innings, while the Warriors continued to build separation.

In the fourth, Dicus led off with a double, and Staggs reached on an error. Pinion made it count, driving both runners home with a double to right field. Another Raider miscue allowed Simmons to reach, and a wild pitch brought Pinion home to cap a four-run frame and push the lead to 9-0.

Avery Trace broke through in the fifth with a walk and a double to score its lone run, but the rally ended there. Dicus closed the door, stranding two runners and securing the win.

Dicus went the distance, allowing just one run on three hits over five innings. He walked four but struck out six of the 22 batters he faced, throwing strikes on more than half of his 82 pitches.

With the win, White County remains in the winner’s bracket and will face Upperman on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

WHITE COUNTY BOX SCORE: 

HITS: Jack Dicus 2, Ryder Staggs 1, Tate Pinion 1, Zade Brown 1 
RUNS: Jack Dicus 3, Noah Teeple 2, Ryder Staggs 2, Tate Pinion 1, Haskel Simmons 1 
RBI: Tate Pinion 2, Zade Brown 2 
2B: Jack Dicus, Tate Pinion 
TB: Jack Dicus 3, Tate Pinion 2, Ryder Staggs 1, Zade Brown 1 
HBP: Jack Dicus, Noah Teeple, Samuel Price 
SF: Tate Pinion 
SB: Haskel Simmons, Jack Dicus, Noah Teeple 

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