AURORA | Smoky Hill pitcher JR McDermott continued his outstanding start to the season with a five-inning no-hitter Wednesday against Denver East.
The sophomore right-hander walked three and struck out three in five frames against the visiting Angels at Wolitzky Field, leading the Buffaloes to a shortened 10-0 non-league victory that improved their record to 5-1 overall.
It was the first no-hitter thrown by an Aurora pitcher this season so far.
McDermott — who made just his third varsity start — improved to 2-1 overall and lowered his ERA to 1.75. He pitched six innings to beat Legend in his varsity debut on March 21 and has now logged 16 innings, allowing just 10 hits and four earned runs.
In support of McDermott’s effort, coach Scott Henry’s Buffaloes scored double-digit runs for only the second time in six games.
Senior Trey Reineke went 2-for-2 at the plate and scored three runs, while Hank Hyde and Cameron Stupansky drove in two runs apiece for Smoky Hill.
McDermott didn’t have to take the mound in the sixth inning after the Buffaloes invoked the 10-run mercy rule with a three-run rally.
Senior TJ Jakopec plated Grayson Heath with the final run on a single to right field.
Reach Sports Editor Courtney Oakes at sports@aurorasentinel.com or 303-750-7555
SMOKY HILL 10, DENVER EAST 0 (5 INN.)
Score by innings (r-h-e):
Denver East 000 00 — 0 0 3
Smoky Hill 112 33 — 10 9 2
DENVER EAST (ab-r-h-rbi)
Nico Nintze 0-2-0-0, David Leaman-Miller 2-0-0-0, Ryan Michael 1-0-0-0, Jackson Oliver 2-0-0-0, Nick Nealy 1-0-0-0, Will Chappell 2-0-0-0-, Brian Winstanley 2-0-0-0, Austin Glass 1-0-0-0, Chris Harder 0-0-0-0. Totals 13-0-0-0. Pitching (ip-h-r-er-bb-so): David Leaman-Miller (L, 4 1/3-7-10-4-3-3), Chris Harder (0-1-0-0-0-0).
SMOKY HILL (ab-r-h-rbi)
Jeff Gillis 3-1-1-1, Cameron Stupansky 3-0-1-2, Trey Reineke 2-3-2-1, Jacob Scott 2-1-1-1, Jake Moses 1-2-1-0, Devin Huscka 2-1-1-0, RJ Jakopec 3-0-1-0, Hank Hyde 2-1-1-2, Grayson Heath 3-0-1-0. Totals 21-10-9-8. Pitching (ip-h-r-er-bb-so): JR McDermott (W, 5-0-0-0-3-3).
2B — Smoky Hill: Trey Reineke; 3B — Smoky Hill: Cameron Stupansky
