Julia Robinson photo

In relief, Hickman pitcher Stephen Peel follows through after throwing a pitch during the Kewpies’ 7-1 victory over Jefferson City yesterday at Hickman. Senior starter James Hudelson struck out 11 in six innings and gave up only three hits to improve to 1-2 on the season and help the Kewpies move to 8-3.

Correction appended

Crouched behind home plate yesterday against Jefferson City, Hickman catcher Bart Steponovich had the best view of a dominating pitching performance.

Thanks to some offseason renovations to the backstop at Hickman Field, a large gathering of fans in attendance for the Kewpies’ home opener got a close-up view of how hard it can be to hit a baseball.

Hard-throwing Hickman senior James Hudelson put on quite a show for the fans now able to view the action - and at last the entire field - from directly behind home plate. He struck out 11 in six innings and allowed only three hits in a 7-1 victory.

"He came out and threw strikes, got ahead in the count and just challenged the batters," Steponovich said of Hudelson, who improved to 1-2. "That’s probably one of his best pitching performances when I’ve caught him."

Mixing a sharp curveball with a fastball that has been clocked in the low 90 mph range, Hudelson struck out two batters in every inning he worked except the fifth. Only one of the three hits he allowed reached the outfield, and Hudelson also picked off one of the seven baseruners he had to deal with.

"He was good. That’s the bottom line," Jefferson City Coach Bob Coons said. "He was better on the mound than we were at the plate. … Once he got in his groove, he was awful tough on us."

Hudelson walked three batters through the first two innings and escaped a two-on, one-out situation in the second that marked the only time Jefferson City (4-8) had a baserunner reach third against him. Besides the brief bout with his control, Hudelson was encouraged by the game’s scoreless start.

"Usually when I start games, I get hit early and give up some runs, but today I didn’t," he said. "So after I got through that first inning, I knew I’d go without any runs."

Hickman (8-3) managed only one hit off Jeff City starter Cole McCubbin (1-2) the first time through the order, but the Kewpies touched the left-handed junior for four runs on three hits in third inning. A slicing pop-up off the bat of Drew Mitrisin that glanced off the glove of Jefferson City shortstop Jordan Coons near the left-field line helped set up the big inning.

With one out and the bases loaded, Taylor Steuber continued his recent string of clutch hitting by ripping a two-run single to center field to begin the scoring.

"He’s starting to quietly assert himself," Hickman Coach Dave Wilson said.

Colin Kemble followed with an RBI single to right field, and Hudelson added a sacrifice fly to bring home Steuber.

Hudelson and Kemble combined for four of Hickman’s seven hits. The two sparked a three-run fifth inning when Kemble blasted a one-out double to the fence in right-center field that was followed by Hudelson’s run-scoring single down the right-field line.

McCubbin was replaced on the mound by Jeremy Geist after Hudelson’s hit, but the Jays committed two errors on the infield that led to another unearned run when Chris Pfau smacked a sacrifice fly to deep center field.

Jefferson City spoiled the shutout in the seventh inning when Hickman reliever Stephen Peel loaded the bases by walking two Jays and allowing a double to pinch-hitter Steven Claycomb. Seth Allen’s sacrifice fly to left field plated Sean Waldrup with Jeff City’s only run, but Peel finished the deal by inducing a game-ending 6-4-3 double play.

Hickman continues a daunting four-game homestand this week with a 4:30 p.m. first pitch today against Helias. On Thursday, the Kewpies host second-ranked Fort Zumwalt West, and on Saturday afternoon, No. 1-ranked Francis Howell comes to town.

"It’s a tough week ahead of us, but it’s good to get that first one," Wilson said.

This article has been changed to reflect the following correction.

CORRECTION: Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Hickman pitcher Stephen Peel was misidentified as James Hudelson in a photo caption that ran in yesterday’s Tribune.

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