Bellinger rolls over Riverside in shutout win
Cole Bellinger threw a complete-game shutout to seal the series win for Greer over Riverside. Bellinger had eight strikeouts in the win, allowing the Warriors just two hits.
In Greer’s 1-0 series-clinching win over Riverside on Friday, Cole Bellinger looked nearly unhittable for most of the night.
In his mind, that’s exactly what he is.
“I know what I’m capable of out there,” Bellinger said. “I know I’m more prepared than everybody else—my mind, my body, everything. That’s where my confidence comes from. I had no worries going into this game.”
Greer’s senior do-it-all star backed up his confidence with a complete game masterpiece against the rival Warriors.
Bellinger threw seven innings of two-hit baseball, striking out eight. He didn’t walk a single Warrior batter.
In six starts this season, Bellinger has given up just two earned runs and has a 0.20 ERA. He’s up to 36 strikeouts for the year.
“Unhittable” might not be too hyperbolic, after all.
“Cole is the ultimate competitor. Anytime you’ve got that guy on the mound, you’re in a good place,” said Greer head coach Josh Smith. “He’s like a bulldog. Just give him some run and he’s going to do fine.
“He’s our leader on this team, and anytime your leader is the one who’s on the mound in the biggest games, you feel good with that.”
Zion Anderson’s RBI single in the second inning was all Greer needed. With Bellinger on the mound, Smith said, even the dugout had a feeling that a single run might be enough.
“I looked at the guys and I got this feeling they were confident the game was already over,” said Smith. “That’s how good Cole’s been for us on the mound.”
“I think coming in none of us had any doubts that we’d win tonight,” said Bellinger. “Even though they beat us in Wednesday’s game, I knew our guys would give everything left in the tank to win this one and win the series.”
By winning the series over Riverside 2-1, Greer officially clinched the No. 2 seed from 4-A Region 2. As a result, the Jackets will host a first-round playoff game.
The Class 4-A playoffs begin on April 29, and Greer looks set to welcome Lancaster to town for that first-round matchup.
“We’ve got a game against Chesnee this coming week and then a two-game set with Daniel before playoffs begin,” said Smith. “We’re happy with what we’ve accomplished in getting the No. 2 seed and a home playoff game, but we’re hungry for more.”
GAME RECAP
Greer
0 1 0 0 0 0 0 - 7
Riverside
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0
GREER STAT LEADERS
Gavin Hug - 2-3
Zion Anderson - 1-3, RBI
Jacob Rainey - 1-3, R, BB
Winning Pitcher: Cole Bellinger - 7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
RIVERSIDE STAT LEADERS
Luke Westrol - 2-3