SPORTS

Williams shuts down Rangers as Newark wins again

Dave Weidig
Reporter
  • The Wildcats got just enough offense and committed only one error in support of Williams.
  • Williams allowed the Rangers %280-1%29 to get only three runners to second base.

NEWARK – After not pitching an inning last season, senior Julian Williams has staked his claim to be one of Newark's mainstays in 2015.

The righthander pitched a three-hitter, striking out three and walking only one, as the Wildcats moved to 2-0 with a 3-0 win against Hamilton Township on Tuesday at Joe Neff Field.

"To be honest, we weren't sure what we had after Trevor Mye," said coach Kyle Walters, who has seen his pitchers allow just one run in the two wins. "We thought about pitching by committee and had three other guys ready to go, but Julian got into a groove and had command of three pitches. He put a lot of time in during the offseason. He had good control and kept them off-balance with his off-speed stuff."

Williams said he worked hard during the summer to develop other pitches.

"I added a splitter and a circle change," he said after throwing an efficient 76-pitch, complete game. "I have five pitches now instead of three, and have added 4 to 5 miles per hour on my fastball. I try to throw four-seam and two-seam fastballs and place them. I try to give different looks and not let them sit on a straight fastball."

The Wildcats got just enough offense and committed only one error in support of Williams.

They broke a scoreless tie in the fourth, when Tyler Osborne's double down the left field line put two runners in scoring position. Nate Munyan bounced out to second, plating the first run, and another scored when the third baseman couldn't handle Darius Shackleford's bouncer.

Newark added a big insurance run in the sixth. Osborne beat out a hit to shortstop, and Shackleford singled to center. Pinch-hitter Josh Gant then ripped an RBI single into left-center.

"I try to be ready at all times," said Gant, a junior backup third baseman. "I just sat back, found the sweet spot on the bat and saw it go."

Walters said Gant is an unselfish player.

"He had a hit for us last night, too," he said. "He's always ready and has a pretty good stick."

Things will get tougher when the Wildcats enter Ohio Capital Conference-Ohio Division play, but Newark appears to be well-armed for the challenge. Walters said the Wildcats have eight to 10 players who can take the ball.

"We don't have anyone throwing 85, 90 miles per hour," he said. "They all have something they can throw, though, be it a knuckleball, curveball or change-up. They can hit the spots they need to."

Williams said Newark should be ready for the challenging schedule. He allowed the Rangers (0-1) to get only three runners to second base, getting an outstanding diving catch on a sinking liner by right fielder Dillon Coventry to halt one threat.

"We need to win against the teams we should beat," Williams said. "When we get into league play, teams will hit the ball. We just need to rely on our defense."

dweidig@newarkadvocate.com

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Twitter: @noz75