Ballard dominates Indians on one-hitter in 3-0 Chili Dogs win

PEACHTREE CITY- Pitching was the order of the day for the Home Plate Chili Dogs Wednesday afternoon as Bryce Ballard allowed one hit over seven innings in a 3-0 shutout over the Midland (Ohio) Indians in a 16U Perfect Game contest at the Home Plate facility.

The game was scoreless in the first three innings of play before Home Plate scored all of their runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Jonathan Williams led off the frame by getting hit by a pitch, then stole two bases before coming home as the throw went into left field when he stole third base.

Williams, who is among several on the Chili Dogs who participates in the athletic program at East Coweta High, had three stolen bases and walked twice in the game.

Ballard aided his own cause by reaching on a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Keegan Rich.

A single by JJ Freed loaded the bases for Sean White who lined a shot to left field and another run scored for the Chili Dogs.

The Chili Dogs reloaded the bases as Hunter Lawson reached on a single and Jacob Howell reached on a walk that forced Freed to come home with the final run of the game and prompted a pitching change by the Indians.

Grant Vinson, who pitched effectively in the first three innings before the fateful fourth, was replaced by Colton Sandhas on the mound for Midland and recorded a strikeout to end the frame but the damage was done.

Ballard finished the game in the top of the seventh inning with very little difficulty as he induced three groundouts.

In hurling the complete game, Ballard only surrendered an infield single while walking one and recording five strikeouts while walking twice while at the plate and recording a single.

Peyton Sower had the fourth hit of the game for the Chili Dogs as they reached base with six walks and two batters reaching base after being hit by a pitch.