Photos by Jay Compton|Daily News Pineville 8th grader Jordan Slusher delivers a pitch during Thursday's game. Slusher held Thomas Walker to just an unearned run on four hits over five innings while striking out seven and walking one. He also drove in two runs with two hits, reached on a fielder's choice and scored three times in the Mountain Lions' 12-1 win.

slideshow

Mountain Lion senior shortstop Seth Jeffrey turns on a pitch during action earlier this season. Jeffrey belted a pair of doubles, drove in two runs and scored twice in Pineville's 12-1 win over Thomas Walker on Thursday.

slideshow

Jay Compton

Sports Editor

The Pineville Mountain Lions got a stellar effort on the mound from 8th-grader Jordan Slusher and pounded out 11 hits on Thursday as they cruised to a 12-1 win over Thomas Walker, Va., to even their record at 5-5 on the season.

Slusher pitched all five innings and surrendered just an unearned run on four hits while striking out seven and walking one to earn the win. Connor Ford and Seth Jeffrey both had a pair of doubles while Slusher singled twice to lead the Pineville offense.

“I thought Jordan pitched a good game. I think we made maybe two errors but other than that we fielded the ball well,” said Mountain Lion coach Scott Jeffrey. “We put the ball in play and it was base hit after base hit and, of course, that scores runs.”

After Slusher worked around a Matthew Glass single in the top of the first, the Lions took control with four runs in the bottom of the inning. Jeffrey led off with a double and Slusher singled before Ford brought them both home with a double of his own. Kyle Capps was hit by a pitch and Tyler Evans followed with an RBI single. Tanner Mike’s fielder’s choice grounder brought Capps home and it was 4-0.

The Pioneers got their run in the second when Minor reached on an error and then scored on a double by Pittman.

The Pineville offense kept rolling in the second frame as Matt Hubbard and Jamie Roan were both hit by pitches to start things off and Jeffrey walked to load the bases. Slusher brought in one run with a fielder’s choice grounder and Ford followed with an RBI double. With two down, Evans drew a walk and Mike singled to bring Ford in and it was 7-1.

The Lions completed the scoring in the third. Will Adams led off with a base hit and Hubbard reached on an error. Roan moved them into scoring position with a ground out and Jeffrey brought them both home with a double. Slusher singled, Ford walked and Capps cleared the bases with a double to set the final at 12-1.

Thomas Walker’s other hits were singles by Davis and Pauley.

Pineville returns to action on Monday at Jackson County and will host Lynn Camp in a 51st District game on Tuesday. Thomas Walker hosts Cumberland Gap, Tenn., on Monday.