Ronnie Smith Throws Four Hitter, Western Rolls

By Ben Grossberg

Russiaville – Western welcomed in the Maconaquah Braves on Monday afternoon for a conference battle, but sent them home with an 11-1 defeat.

Ronnie Smith took the mound for the defending 3A state champions. The UAB commit was dominant allowing four hits, just one after the second inning, striking out seven and walking two.

Western’s offense got going early with three runs in the first inning. Senior Marcus Pingleton led off the inning with a walk and Junior Evan Warden singled. After a passed ball and a strike out, Junior Drew Bellus stepped up and ripped a single to left scoring Pingleton and Warden. Sophomore Austin Taylor added another run later in the inning, coming through with a two out RBI single scoring Bellus.

In the second Smith struggled for the only time in the game. After getting the first batter out he gave up a single to Senior Kyle Radtke and Radtke moved to third on a single from Senior Kyle Clark. Senior Billy Murphy grounded into a fielder’s choice to bring in the only run of the game for Maconaquah.

In the bottom of the inning Pingleton got the run back for Western with a solo shot over the left center field fence.

After being set down 1-2-3 in the third Western got two in the fourth, three in the fifth, and two in the sixth to end it.

In the fourth Warden had a one out RBI single to bring in the first run and Dakota Lamott reached on a two out error by the third baseman allowing another run to score.

In the fifth Senior Austin Dukes doubled in a run and Smith followed that with a two run double giving Western a 9-1 lead.

In the sixth after the first two batters got out, Western loaded the bases for Smith. Smith hit a ball to right that the right fielder slide for, but could not catch allowing two runners to score and ending the game 11-1.

Western improved to 12-3 and locked up the Mid-Indiana Conference title with the win.