Porter’s Chapel Academy found some success on Tuesday by doing one of the simplest things in baseball — throwing strikes.

Spencer Azlin allowed two hits and struck out four batters while pitching a shutout, and Michael Tod Andrews and Cole Pittman drove in two runs apiece as PCA beat Pelahatchie 8-0 in the Battle on the River spring break tournament at Sports Force Parks on the Mississippi.

Azlin walked three batters, which wasn’t stellar in the game shortened to four innings by a tournament time limit. But considering the Eagles’ pitchers were averaging seven walks per game it was a notable improvement.

“The main thing is, we threw strikes. That’s been a killer for us the whole year, is consistently pounding the zone. We’re walking too many folks,” PCA coach Wade Patrick said. “I’d rather give up 20 hits and lose than 20 walks, because your defense behind you is out of the game and it slows things to a crawl. (Azlin) walked a few, but he was in and around the zone so that’s what he’s done really well for us this year. He hit his locations and let his defense work behind him.”

The Eagles backed Azlin with plenty of offense.

Andrew hit a two-run double in the bottom of the first inning, then scored on a two-out triple by Leon Simms. Luke Yocum also had an RBI single to stake PCA to a 4-0 lead. Yocum finished with two hits, and Simms scored two runs.

The Eagles added to the lead with two runs in the second inning and two more in the third. They finished with eight hits and took advantage of six errors by Pelahatchie. Only one of PCA’s runs was earned, and they only drew one walk.

“We swung it great throughout the lineup,” Patrick said. “Their kid threw strikes. He made us put it in play. That’s the key to everything. We’ve got to be aggressive at the plate and swing the bats. I think sometimes we’re still a little too passive in our approach. We’re taking too many pitches. We need to be more aggressive at the plate and I think we were today.”

In the second game of a split doubleheader Tuesday, Bayou Academy scored five runs in the top of the sixth inning and then held off a PCA rally in the bottom half to win 10-8.
Andrews went 2-for-4 with two runs scored for PCA (4-3), and Simms hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning.

Spence Martin was 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored for Bayou. He singled in the go-ahead run in the top of the sixth, and later scored on an error as the Colts scored five times to take a 10-5 lead and blow open a close game.

Trey Williamson and J.T. Aguzzi also drove in two runs apiece for Bayou.

PCA pitcher Cole Pittman only walked three batters in five innings, but hit four and gave up six hits and nine runs. Six of the runs were earned. He had three strikeouts.

PCA will finish its three-game run at the Battle on the River tournament Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. against MHSAA Class 6A opponent Greenville.