WAYNESBORO – Waynesboro Indians junior pitcher John Kahl received a loud reception from teammates after pitching a no-hitter against Shippensburg on Tuesday, May 6 at Robinson Field.
Kahl, an imposing right-hander, came close to a one-hitter, but a ground ball hit by Ayden Mentzer in the top of the fourth inning was ruled an error instead of an infield single. Kahl walked three batters, struck out three with 10 outs coming on fly balls during a 4-0 Mid-Penn Colonial Division victory.
Centerfielder Gunner Shifflett caught six of those fly balls, including two in the top of the seventh inning. Third baseman Tank Benedict, one of eight seniors recognized prior to the Senior Day game, gloved the final out of the game.
The others honored were Brian Alford, Brody Daywalt, Ethan Hotchkiss, Calvin Myers, Brett Powell, Brayden Zeigler, and Shifflett.
Kahl coasted through the first three innings, pitching to the minimum in all three. The only hiccup was the Greyhounds’ base runner in the fourth inning. Shippensburg had runners on base in the fifth through seventh frames but couldn’t get them around.
Myers and Powell turned a double play in the sixth stanza.
Waynesboro (9-7) scored two runs in each of the first two innings, and the score stood the rest of the way.
In the opening inning, Riley Eaton reached base on a dropped third strike. Myers singled, and Benedict got on base via an error that plated Eaton for the only run the Indians needed. Myers scored on a sacrifice fly by Powell.
In the second inning, Nate Nystrom (2-for-2 with a walk) singled. After back-to-back ground outs, Shifflett walked. Eaton followed with a single that scored Nystrom. Myers got aboard on an error to score Shifflett.
Waynesboro is back on the diamond on Wednesday at James Buchanan for a league game. The Indians are riding a four-game win streak and have won five of the last six.
Currently, the Tribe is ranked 15th among District 3-6A teams. The top 14 qualify for the playoffs.
