By Will Swary

WORTHINGTON – Sophomore Nick Pauley’s one hitter proves the difference.

Thomas Worthington sophomore right-handed pitcher Nick Pauley used excellent command and a good curveball to keep Watkins Memorial off balance all evening on his way to a shutout 2-0 victory at Thomas Worthington High School.

Pauley, a lengthy righty who’s fastball worked consistently in between 83-84 mph used great control and his teams solid defense en route to a five strikeout performance.

Pauley did not forgo his no-hit bid until the sixth inning when Watkins Memorial pitcher Tony Winters helped his own cause, lining a single into right centerfield. That one hit would be proven moot as the next hitter Steven Asbury would fly out to right, ending Watkins late threat.

Watkins' offense struggle to reach base, let alone reach scoring position. The only other scoring opportunity came in the third inning with a runner advancing to third base via a HBP, a bunt, and a wild pitch.

Thomas Worthington (18-7), ranked No. 44 in the PBR Division I rankings, would get all the offense they would need in the fourth inning when senior Otterbein commitment  Dylan Holmes singled to center to lead off.

Holmes would move to second on a ball in the dirt from Winters.  Sophomore Kegan Lanter advanced Holmes to third with a nice bunt down the third baseline and Holmes eventually scored TWHS’s first run after Ben Miller dropped a bloop hit into no-man’s land over second base.

Thomas Worthington would add one more insurance as Jeremy Niklos hit a solo homerun deep over the left field wall in the fifth off Winters.

Junior left-handed pitcher Tony Winters took the loss. Other than allowing the two runs, the southpaw pitch together an excellent performance on the mound. Winters used a lively fastball with natural movement, clocked between 83-85 mph to stifle TWHS for most of the game on his way to striking out eleven batters. 

Thomas Worthington advances in tournament play, while Watkins Memorial’s run is over. TWHS next tourney game will be Tuesday, May 15th against Marysville at Delaware Hayes High School.