Plano East senior Landon Leedy completes his wind-up during a March 11 home game against Princeton. Photo by Andy Redmond / C&S Media
By David Wolman
Kellan McWhinnie struck out five over seven shutout innings against four hits in a 3-0 win over Plano West from Rowlett High School on Friday.
A defensive play played a key role.
With two on and one out for Plano West in the top of the third in a scoreless game, Plano East threw out a runner caught stealing second base for out No. 2 and a subsequent rundown ended the threat.
Plano East rode the momentum and turned it into a three-run bottom of the third. Matthew Hyman scored the game’s first run on a passed ball. The Panthers made it 3-0 with a two-run single by Andrew Valdez.
The win comes two days after Plano East doubled up Princeton 4-2.
Ricky Clemens went a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate with three RBIs to spark the offense. He sliced a two-run double into right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the third inning. The hit came shortly after a dropped fly ball in left field by Princeton with two outs allowed the inning to continue.
Princeton made Plano East throw 144 pitches, but Landon Leedy and Colt Wisniowski made the necessary pitches, especially when Princeton had runners in scoring position.
With the two wins, Plano East improved to 13-3 overall, 3-0 in District 6-6A.