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reprint or license thisKiker shuts down Cartersville
Pitcher strikes out 13 batters in win
BY ROBERT SPRUCK
Staff Writer
HOGANSVILLE, Ga. - With a dominant fastball and two off-speed pitches that often leave a hitter helpless, Kasey Kiker doesn't need much run support.
Russell County didn't get him any in the first couple of innings. Kiker then helped himself out by singling to center, driving in the Warriors' first run.
That was the only run for the Warriors (7-2) until the sixth inning when they manufactured a few. A walk, catcher's interference and a wild pitch put runners on second and third with two outs.
Designated hitter Cody Dykes then reached on an infield single and a throwing error by Cartersville second baseman Nick Ferguson allowed another to score, giving Russell County a 3-1 lead.
That was more than enough for Kiker, but Cory Rasmus and Adam Coe each hit a home run in the seventh as the Warriors defeated Cartersville 6-1 Friday night in the LaGrange Invitational.
"I'm not complaining because I have seen those things go against us," Russell County coach Tony Rasmus said of the sixth-inning rally when his team scored twice on one hit. "Rallies can start on a few little miscues."
Kiker, who gave up one run on three hits in the first two innings, settled down and didn't allow a hit over the final five. He also struck out 13, improving to 2-1 this season.
"I knew I had to get past the first inning," Kiker said. "I was trying to get a feel for my pitches and what was working. All three of my pitches were working tonight."
Kiker, a 5-foot-9 lefty, retired nine straight batters before walking Cartersville's Scotty Morris to start the sixth. He wasn't bothered by the walk as he struck out the next three.
"He's always pumped up," Tony Rasmus said. "Sometimes, you have to pull the reins in."
Kiker was consistently in the low-90s, still hit 89 mph on a scout's radar gun in the seventh inning.
While Kiker was dominating the Purple Hurricanes, Cartersville pitcher Benji Farr had the Warriors off balance.
Farr only allowed one hit while striking out five through five innings. The Warriors generated a couple of runs in the sixth, and, Farr, who had thrown 100-plus pitches, began to wear down in the seventh.
Coe, who hit a home run against Timber Creek earlier in the day, blasted his second of the day with one out in the seventh. Cory Rasmus then sent Farr's 2-2 pitch over the right center field fence.
"(Coe) is going to have a very special season," Rasmus said about his third baseman who has five home runs in five games. "He's showing that he can play."
Friday at Hogasnville Game 1 Russell County 4101141--12114 Timber Creek 0110022--672 WP Danny Danielson (1-0) LP Branden Weber. Hitting leaders Russell County: Adam Coe, 2-4, 2 R, HR, RBI; Cory Rasmus, 2-4, RBI; Cody Dykes, 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBIs, Cyle Rasmus, 2-4, 2R. Timber Creek: Joey Hurtado, 2-4, HR, 2R; Justin Bannich 2-2, HR. Records: Russell County 6-2.
Game 2 Russell County 0010023--661 Cartersville 1000000--132 WP Kasey Kiker (2-1) LP Benji Farr Hitting leaders: Adam Coe, 1-3, HR, 2R, RBI; Cory Rasmus, 1-3, HR, RBI; Kasey Kiker, 2-4, 2B, RBI, R. Cartersville: Tyler Gilreath, 1-3, 2B, R. Records: Russell County 7-2.
