Ortiz, Pacinos lead Hawks to dominant win over Lake City
8th Grade pitcher Jarred Pacinos opens the season with a 9-strikeout game
Ortiz led the offensive onslaught, driving in four runs on two hits. He put Clinton on the board in the first inning with a run-scoring groundout, broke a 1-1 tie in the second with a two-run single, and added another RBI hit in the third.
Lake City briefly evened the score in the top of the second, capitalizing on a passed ball to tie the game at one. However, the Hawks quickly seized control in the bottom half, surging ahead 4-1 after Ortiz’s two-run single and a wild pitch that brought in another run.
Clinton blew the game wide open in the third inning, erupting for eight runs on five hits. Lucas Parfitt doubled in a run, while Jaden Church and Colton Wright each added RBI hits. Ortiz picked up his fourth RBI of the night with a single. Jaxon Lowe worked a bases-loaded walk, Stone McKenzie delivered a two-run single, and an error tacked on another run to cap the inning.
On the mound, Pacinos was nearly untouchable. The right-hander tossed three no-hit innings, striking out nine and allowing just one unearned run. Wright closed out the win with a scoreless inning in relief, fanning three without surrendering a hit.
Clinton racked up 14 hits in the victory, with Pacinos leading the charge at the plate, going 3-for-4. Wright and Aiden Cagle Story also recorded multi-hit games, while Pacinos showcased his speed on the basepaths with two stolen bases.
With back-to-back decisive wins to open the season, Clinton Middle will look to keep its momentum rolling as it travels to Jellico Middle School for its next matchup on Monday.
