Perryville senior starter Waylon Huber reached a personal milestone and delivered a complete-game effort to lead Perryville to a 4-3 win over St. Vincent on April 20 at Veterans Memorial Field in Perryville.
Huber struck out 5 and allowed 5 hits and 3 runs (2 earned) over 7 innings, finishing with 103 career strikeouts as the Pirates improved to 6-7.
“I just got 100 career strikeouts today. That’s pretty cool,” Huber said.
He walked 1 and hit 3 batters while throwing 92 pitches, 66 for strikes, consistently pitching to contact and trusting his defense.
“We had Waylon out there doing what he does — throw it to them, let them hit it, field the ball and throw them out at first,” Perryville coach Drew Korando said. “That’s the Perryville baseball that we have to keep doing.”
Perryville totaled 4 hits and took advantage of key opportunities. Gideon Stueve led the way, going 1-for-3 with a double and 2 runs scored. Huber helped his own cause, finishing 1-for-2 with a triple, a run scored and 2 RBI.
Gavin Mayor and Brendyn Lutz each added a hit and an RBI, while Barrett Wheeler scored a run and drove in another despite not recording a hit.
The Pirates broke through with 1 run in the 4th inning, added 3 more in the 5th and held on late.
Korando credited the defense for preserving the win, including standout play from shortstop Bryce Weber and steady work behind the plate from Wheeler.
“Bryce Weber at shortstop today, man, he made several great plays,” Korando said, “and Barrett, being that guy behind the plate, is not going to let anybody get free bases on him. He can completely control the game. That’s something that a lot of people don’t think about, but it plays a factor.”
St. Vincent (5-8) finished with 5 hits and mounted a late rally.
Gus Unterreiner went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI to lead the Indians. Levi Schilling added a hit and 2 RBI, while Quinton Whistler went 1-for-3 with a run scored. Andrew Hotop also scored a run.
Tyler Hennemann pitched well in a no-decision, allowing 3 hits and 4 runs (3 earned) over 5.1 innings with 2 strikeouts and 5 walks. Levi Schilling tossed 1.2 innings of scoreless relief, giving up 1 hit while striking out 2.
St. Vincent scored 2 runs in the 6th inning and added another in the 7th to cut the deficit to 4-3, but could not complete the comeback.
“Tyler Henneman did an outstanding job on the mound,” St. Vincent coach Corey Sauer said. “He pitched about as good as we could ask him to pitch.”
Sauer also pointed to his team’s effort throughout the game.
“It just shows the character of our guys. They don’t quit,” he said.
Perryville’s defense made the final plays it needed behind Huber, sealing the win and punctuating a milestone performance for a hard-working senior.
“I think our defense played well the whole game,” Huber said. “In the end we came through.”
Korando agreed, saying that good defense is crucial.
“Overall, a good defensive team win,” Korando said. “This team is capable of competing with anybody if you can make plays behind your pitcher.”
