Smith, Peters lead South Central to win in opener

KINMUNDY – South Central’s defense of the National Trail Conference championship got off to a good start in Monday’s season-opener.

The two-time defending regular season champs got a two-run home run from senior Dylan Smith in the sixth inning, senior Dylen Peters tossed a complete game three-hitter and the Cougars earned a 2-1 win against NTC rival Altamont.

Smith singled in his first at-bat of the season, and then clobbered a pitch from Altamont’s Klaiton Wolff over the left-field wall in his third at-bat to secure the victory.

South Central’s other hit was a double by Noah Powless in the first, as Wolff was sharp until Smith’s homer, striking out 10.

Gavin Ratermann led off the sixth inning by being hit by a pitch, and advanced to third on an errant pickoff attempt before scoring on the home run.

Peters (1-0) danced in and out of trouble throughout the game, allowing three hits but walking six and hitting two batters. The Cougar defense also committed a pair of errors, but only one unearned run would cross the plate in the third.

Last season, Altamont defeated South Central in the opener, and both teams finished 8-1 to share the regular-season NTC championship. The Cougars went on to win the NTC Tournament.

Monday, Aug. 25
South Central 2
Altamont 1
A: 0-0-1-0-0-0-0—1-3-1
S: 0-0-0-0-0-2-X—2-3-2
WP: Peters (1-0); 7 IP, 6 K
LP: Wolff (0-1); 6 IP, 10 K
Cougars: Smith, 2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI; Powless, 1-for-3, 2B; Ratermann, run.
Record: 1-0 (1-0 NTC)