The Princeton Tigers hit the capital city with their hitting shoes on as they picked up two runs in the first and added two more in the 2nd as they cruised by the Indians of Bridgeport 5-1 in the first round of the 69th annual State High School Baseball Tournament.
On a beautiful evening at Appalachian Power Park, the Tigers of head coach Josh Wilburn pounded out 9 hits enroute to the first round win. Tigers pitcher J. C. Pennington pitched 6 strong innings giving up only 3 hits and did not walk a batter. Pennington was relieved by Alex Quick who gave up one run on one hit and two walks. The hitting star for the Tigers was shortstop Austin Southcutt who went 3-4 and scored a run.
For Bridgeport, a team that was playing the game with a heavy heart after head coach Bob Shields father was buried today, just could not get anything going offensively. Starting pitcher Brady Weaver went the distance for the Indians giving up 5 earned runs on 9 hits. Weaver struck out 6 Tiger batters and walked only two.
Final totals show Princeton with 5 runs on 9 hits, while Bridgeport finished with 1 run on 4 hits and committed 2 errors.
Princeton will play in their first ever Class AAA state baseball championship game on Saturday morning at 10am. Ironically, the senior class at Princeton Senior High School will be holding graduation ceremonies at 11am on Saturday.