Clermont Northeastern’s offense put on a show in front of a home crowd against Georgetown on Wednesday, April 10.
The Rockets pounded out 21 runs on just 14 hits in a 21-2 win over Georgetown, which improved the team’s record to 7-1 overall and 6-0 in the Southern Buckeye Athletic and Academic Conference’s National Division.
CNE scored seven runs in the first inning, highlighted by two-run singles off the bats of Gavin Hickey and Landon Williams.
Trent Amann cranked a three-run home run to left field in the second inning, helping his team to a nine-run frame that put the game out of reach. Amann had been scuffling a bit at the plate for the Rockets thus far this season, hitting just .269 as of April 15. CNE head coach Tyler Sanders said he hopes that hit helps spark the junior.
“It’s something new for him,” Sanders said. “He’s not usually slow to it. Last year, he was off to a great start, then he got hurt. I’m hoping that’s the one that gets him going.”
On the mound, Trentin Nichols finished with one hit allowed in 4.2 innings of work. He walked eight batters and struck out four. Amann threw four pitches and recorded a strikeout to close out the game.
“[Nichols] threw well,” Sanders said. “It’s his third career start. He’s coming along pretty well, I’ve seen a big jump from last year to this year.”
CNE’s pitching staff as a whole has made strides this season, according to Sanders.
“Overall, [Nichols] has thrown a lot for us to start the year, and he’s been lights-out,” Sanders said. “He was a player of the year candidate last year, and he’s on that path again. Olivia Bricker’s already got a complete game, Nichols has two wins now…the pitching has been pretty good. We’re not walking kids, so that’s a plus.”
Even with the win, Sanders said there was one thing he wished the team had done a little bit better against the G-Men.
“I don’t like that we didn’t finish out strong,” Sanders said. “Sometimes it’s hard in a game like this to keep them focused for the whole time. You have guys in spots they’re not used to be in, but overall we hit the ball today. We’ve been struggling. Our record looks good, but we’re not hitting that great.”
CNE is in the midst of a busy few days. The Rockets hosted Goshen on Tuesday, April 16 and visited East Clinton on Wednesday, April 17. Neither of those games were finished before press time.
The team travels to Northwest on Thursday, April 18 before hosting Blanchester at Midland in the Reds High School Showcase on Friday, April 19. CNE also has a doubleheader against Batavia on Saturday, April 20 and a crucial league match against Bethel-Tate on Monday, April 22.
The Rockets and Tigers are also scheduled to finish the suspended game from April 3, which was halted due to darkness in the ninth inning with the game tied at 11.
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