Three Soldotna pitchers combined for a no-hitter Monday as the Stars topped the Kardinals 17-0 in Southcentral Conference action at the Kenai Little League fields.
Jake Marcuson, Hunter Thompson and Cody Quelland authored the no-no. Marcuson pitched two innings, walking two and whiffing four. Thompson followed with two more innings, walking two and punching out five. Quelland finished things off with a strikeout in an inning.
“Jake Marcuson came on strong at the end of last season and we’re relying a lot on him this season,” SoHi coach Robb Quelland said after his team improved to 2-2 in the league and 3-3-1 overall. “Hunter Thompson has had years shortened due to injury, but he’s healthy now.
“We rely heavily on (Cody) to not only catch but finish out games when needed.”
The coach also was happy his squad only committed one error.
The Stars banged out 13 hits, with the top four in the lineup playing a starring role. Jeremy Kupferschmid had three runs, David Michael was 2 for 4 with two runs and three RBIs, Quelland had two runs, and Brandon Crowder was 3 for 4 with four RBIs.
“It was a team effort, and I think the top of our lineup is the best in the state,” coach Quelland said.
Also for SoHi, Hunter Thompson had two RBIs, Logan Smith had two runs, Trapper Thompson had two hits and two RBIs, and Caleb Spence had two hits and two RBIs.
Carlos Caballero gave up five runs in 1 1-3 innings for Kenai, while Harold Ochea yielded nine runs — only three earned — in 2 1-3 innings and Manny Noriega gave up three runs in 1 1-3 innings.
Jake Marcuson delivers to Kenai Central on Monday, May 7, 2018, at the Kenai Little League fields. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
