Strong defense, timely hitting and a workmanlike performance on the mound carried Perryville to a 3-1 victory over Windsor on April 22.
The Pirates (7-7) turned in one of their more complete efforts of the season, finishing with 5 hits while holding Windsor to 3.
Bryce Weber set the tone on the mound, going 6.2 innings while allowing 3 hits and 1 run. He struck out 7 and walked 1, throwing 94 pitches before Parker Shelton came on to record the final out.
Korando said Weber’s ability to navigate deep counts against a patient Windsor lineup was key.
“Bryce works the counts really well,” Perryville coach Drew Korando said. “He throws a lot of off-speed trying to get them to chase. They weren’t chasing much at all, so that’s going to get his pitch count up a little bit, but 6.2 innings — you can’t be mad about that from a starter.”
Windsor threatened early, but Perryville’s defense erased those chances with a pair of double plays in the first 3 innings. Middle infielders Brendyn Lutz and Waylon Huber were at the center of both momentum-killing plays.
“Luckily, our defense stepped up the first three innings, making plays behind Weber,” Korando said. “That’s something we’ve really been working on. We were able to fix those little mistakes, and that’s how you beat good teams like that.”
The Pirates broke through offensively in the fourth inning, plating 3 runs — all they would need.
Gideon Stueve led the way, going 1-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base. Barrett Wheeler finished 1-for-3 with a run, while Waylon Huber went 1-for-2 with a run. Nolan Berhle added a hit and drove in a run.
Perryville also got contributions throughout the lineup, with Bryce Weber, Wheeler, Stueve, Berhle and Huber each collecting a hit.
Korando emphasized the importance of run production in a tight game.
“We knew every run was going to be important at the end of the game,” he said. “Weber went out there and did exactly what he needed to do.”
Windsor pushed across its lone run in the seventh inning, but Perryville’s defense and pitching held firm down the stretch.
Shelton entered with 2 outs in the seventh and secured the final out to seal the win.
Korando credited the Pirates’ defensive effort as the difference-maker, especially given past struggles.
“If you play behind your pitcher, then you get a shot every time,” he said. “When you don’t make plays, pitch counts go up and your pitcher can’t go as long. Today, we played behind him, and that’s how we roll around here.”
He also pointed to the two early double plays as turning points.
“Brendyn Lutz and Waylon Huber up the middle, they had two big double plays early in the game to really shut the momentum down,” Korando said. “Other than that, just a good team win.”
Windsor 9, Perryville 5
IMPERIAL — Windsor used a big second inning and steady offense throughout to hand Perryville a 9-5 loss on April 23.
The Pirates (7-8) were unable to recover from a 6-run outburst by Windsor in the second inning, which proved to be the difference in the contest.
Perryville finished with 5 runs on 5 hits, while Windsor totaled 9 runs on 9 hits.
Bryce Weber led the Pirates at the plate, going 1-for-3 with 1 run and 1 RBI. Gideon Stueve added a strong effort, finishing 1-for-4 with 1 run, 1 RBI and a double. Parker Shelton also contributed, going 1-for-2 with 1 run.
Barrett Wheeler scored a run, while Brendyn Lutz and Aiden Stueve each added a hit. Eli Deckerd and Nolan Berhle each drove in a run.
Perryville showed some fight after falling behind early, scoring 1 run in the third, 4 in the fourth and another in the seventh, but could not fully close the gap.
On the mound, Bryce Schmidt took the loss, allowing 6 runs on 7 hits in 2.2 innings, striking out 4 and walking 2. Parker Shelton provided relief, tossing 3.1 innings and allowing 3 runs on 2 hits with 1 strikeout and 1 walk.
Windsor was led offensively by Ethan Shirk, who went 2-for-2 with 2 runs and 1 RBI. Lincoln Forchee added a 1-for-3 performance with 2 runs and an RBI, while Brody Green drove in 2 runs.
Nolan Lawrence and Landen Palmer each contributed a hit and an RBI for Windsor, which capitalized on early opportunities to seize control.
