Carl Junction’s Payton Walker threw a no-hitter and made a single first-inning run hold up, as the Bulldogs beat Republic 1-0 Saturday. The loss spoiled one of the best starts of the year by Republic senior Garrett Woods, and ended the Tigers’ season in the district quarterfinals.
Walker was in command from the start, as the Tigers never got a runner to second base. He struck out nine in seven innings.
“Curveball was working really well today, but I have to give credit to my defense,” says Walker. “I felt like I’ve been able to control myself pretty much all year, but our defense played out of our heads today.
“We got that one run, and that was all we needed because we were playing such solid D.”
The Bulldogs’ single run scored when Nathan Skaggs slapped a ball past a diving Parker Nelson at first base, scoring Jeff Terry with an unearned run in the first inning.
Woods was almost as good as Walker on the mound for Republic. He allowed only three hits and struck out seven.
