SOSA Staff Report
HILLSBORO — Behind exceptional pitching performances from both Reece Whitley and Dakota Dodds, and timely hitting from its roster, Portsmouth 23 took home the Hillsboro Wood Bat Tournament, Sunday afternoon.
Dodds was masterful in a 4-0 win over Piqua Post 184, tossing a 74-pitch complete game and striking out four hitters. He was backed at the dish by Seth Nichols, who finished 2-for-4 with a run, as well as Whitley, who went 2-for-4 with a run as well.
That win propelled 23 (4-5) into the championship game against Chillicothe 757, who had beaten Waverly 142 (5-3) to get there. In that game, a 14-0 final, the Colts (8-2) pounded out 16 team hits.
Lucas Foglesong led that charge, finishing 2-for-5 with a run and two RBIs. He also picked up the win on the mound, throwing six shutout innings and striking out nine hitters.
In the championship game, Whitley paced Post 23 to a 3-1 win in yet another impressive display of pitching. The Clay High School product threw six complete innings and struck out five before giving way to Logan Hankins, who slammed the door shut in the seventh.
At the plate, Andrew Andronis did his part, finishing 2-for-2 with a walk, a run and an RBI while Mason Montgomery went 1-for-2 with a walk and a run.
Portsmouth 23, Chillicothe 757 and Waverly 142 will all be back in action this week.
757 travels to 142, at Piketon High School, on Tuesday while 23 gets back to it on the same evening, hosting the Huntington Hounds.