By Drake Skleba

ROBINSON, IL – Mount Zion ace right-hander Nick Stroud fired a three-hitter at Olney East Richland and led his Braves to an 8-1 Class 2A Robinson Sectional semifinal win on Wednesday.

Stroud (6-1), who’s signed at Quincy University, put on a dazzling display of 88-90 mph fastballs, knee-buckling curveballs and sharp sliders to strike out 14 hitters. Stroud helped himself with a clutch two-out, two-run single to give his Braves a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third.

“We set a school record for most wins in a season with the victory,” said Stroud. “I felt really good on the mound tonight and all of my pitches were working. I was happy to give myself a little run-support with the big two-run single in the third. It makes it a lot easier to pitch with a little run-support which my teammates provided me with.”

No. 20 Mount Zion (31-5) struck first on an RBI single from Brave sophomore DH Connor Wilhoit (3-for-4 2 RBI), driving home junior lead-off-man Dylan Dunn, who had singled to lead-off the bottom of the first.

“I thought we played very well tonight and Nick pitched a great game for us,” said Wilhoit. “I just looked for my hitting window to hit in tonight. I hit the ball very well. We would really like to play Teutopolis on Saturday. The last time we played them we didn't play very well and would like to gain some respect.”

The Braves put the game away with four runs in the fifth, highlighted by an RBI single from senior shortstop Jake Stewart (2-for-4, 3R, RBI).

“This was a big win for us,” said Stewart. “We played great tonight. I had a pretty good day at the plate as well.”

Olney (22-15) was led by junior right-fielder Mitch Harmon, who had two hits and scored the lone Tiger run. Harmon scored the run when he stole third base and scampered home when Stroud threw one of his few balls of the night, low and outside past his junior third baseman, Sam Olson.

“What an outstanding job tonight by Nick Stroud,” said Mount Zion head coach Matt Smith. “There were a couple of MLB scouts here tonight. Hopefully Nick made some money tonight and will be drafted. Connor Wilhoit is a special player and I'm fortunate to have him for two more years. It will be a great game with T-Town on Saturday morning.”