Power and pitching leads Pulaski over Danville

Dominant pitching and a grand slam from Christian Smith hurled Pulaski to an 8-2 win over the Danville Otterbots on Wednesday.

Danville got on the board early after a ground out from designated hitter Corbin Lanowitz brought in a run to put them up 1-0 after the first frame.

Pulaski answered back in a huge way when Smith hit a grand slam bomb over the right-field wall to put Pulaski up 4-1 after one.

After that, the game was all Pulaski, as their pitching shut down Danville’s offense. Pitchers Aaron Park and Jack Slade combined for just two earned runs off four hits, all while walking just two batters and striking out eleven.

Pulaski increased their lead in the fourth and fifth innings when center fielder Rodney Green Jr. hit an RBI single to make 5-1. Designated hitter Brian Nicolas hit an RBI sacrifice fly to make it 6-1.

In the sixth, Lanowitz grounded out to bring in shortstop Jevin Relaford to cut the lead to 6-2. But after that, it was all Pulaski, as Jack Slade (S,1) came in to pitch 3 1/3 shutout innings.

In the seventh, Pulaski increased their lead back to five runs thanks to a sac-fly from left fielder Connor Fuhrman made it 7-2.

The final run came in the eighth, where first baseman Joe Kinneberg reached on a fielder’s choice to bring in Green Jr. and make the final score 8-2.

The winner on the mound went to starter Aaron Park (2-0), as he went 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs off four hits while walking two batters and striking out seven. The loss went to starter Colbey Klepper (2-2), as he allowed six runs (five earned) off four hits while walking one and striking out six.

On Thursday, Pulaski will look for the series sweep in their home season finale.